Government-Formed Property Investigation Commission Commences Operations

Kathmandu. The property investigation commission formed by the government has officially commenced its work. 

Commission Chairman Rajendra Kumar Bhandari was sworn in by Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla on Wednesday. Immediately following the oath, Bhandari administered the oath to other commission members: former Chief Judge of the then Appellate Court Purushottam Parajuli, former High Court Judge Chandiraj Dhakal, former Deputy Inspector General of Police Ganesh KC, and Chartered Accountant Prakash Lamsal. 

Subsequently, their team began operations from the commission's office established at Kesharmahal.

The commission, which has a one-year mandate, will conduct a detailed investigation into the assets held domestically and abroad by individuals who have held public office, retired, or left their positions, as well as their families. After taking the oath, Commission Chairman Rajendra Kumar Bhandari told Ratopati that they have started their work. 'The commission will issue a public notice in a few days regarding how it will function,' he said, 'We will provide information about the commission's jurisdiction, mandate, and upcoming work shortly.'

Bhandari stated that while the commission held its first meeting to discuss the initial approach to the investigation, preparations are underway to develop a work plan for the next steps. 

According to the commission's mandate, it will collect details of land and houses from land revenue offices for individuals under investigation. Additionally, it will gather information on their bank accounts, transaction records, share investments in the Nepal Stock Exchange, vehicle details, and the source of funds for any industrial or business investments.

The most critical phase involves comparing an individual's legitimate income (salary, allowances, agricultural income, ancestral property, rent, etc.) with the assets they have acquired. If assets exceed legitimate income and the source cannot be verified, it is considered 'illegal'. 

Furthermore, if the source of property is unclear or suspicious, the concerned individual will be summoned to the commission for questioning. They will be given an opportunity to prove the source of their assets. The commission will seek assistance from chartered accountants, banking experts, or engineers to understand complex financial transactions. 

The Terms of Reference (ToR) for this commission, which operates under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 2026, have already been approved. The commission, with a one-year mandate, will conduct a microscopic investigation into the assets held domestically and abroad by individuals who have held public office, retired, or left their positions, as well as their families.

Upon completion of the investigation, the commission will submit a report to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. The commission has pledged to work in a completely independent, impartial, and professional manner, free from any pressure or influence. Arrangements have been made to allow complaints to be filed through various channels, including written, oral, electronic media, or social networks. The commission will investigate the assets of individuals ranging from key political figures to high-ranking officials who held public office from 2082/83 to 2062/63. 

The commission will require individuals under investigation to fill out full details of movable and immovable property held in their names and the names of their family members (spouse and children). A specific deadline will be provided for this. The commission will also require the disclosure of assets held by relatives. The collected details will be subjected to microscopic analysis by the commission; its jurisdiction will be similar to previously formed commissions of inquiry. 

Currently, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers is screening 32 employees required for the commission. To ensure the commission's work is transparent and credible, a provision has been made requiring all staff assigned to the commission to publicly disclose their asset details within one week of assuming their duties.

See also

How does the property investigation commission that spans three generations work?