desk
Share
News Topical, Digital Desk : In a historic and sweeping move, the new government in Nepal has constituted a five-member judicial commission to investigate the assets of former political and administrative leaders.
Investigation of all assets from 2006 to 2025-26
The commission will investigate the assets of all individuals who held public office from 2006 (after the abolition of the monarchy) to the fiscal year 2025-26. This includes former King Gyanendra Shah, three former presidents, all prime ministers since 2005-06 (including two interim governments), ministers, constitutional functionaries, and senior bureaucrats.
Prominent names that will be included in the commission's investigation include former presidents Ram Baran Yadav and Vidya Devi Bhandari, current president Ram Chandra Poudel, former prime ministers Girija Prasad Koirala, Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda), Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhalanath Khanal, Baburam Bhattarai, KP Sharma Oli, and Sher Bahadur Deuba, as well as two interim prime ministers, Khilraj Regmi and Sushila Karki.
Investigation on Shah government's own allies too
The new Prime Minister Balendra Shah's Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP)-led government has broadened the commission's scope to include current Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal, some current ministers, and his own political allies, such as Rashtriya Swatantra Party President Ravi Lamichhane. The investigation will also reach the assets of deceased leaders, bringing into focus the families and political heirs of leaders like Girija Prasad Koirala and Sushil Koirala.
Commission formed after youth movement
The commission was formed just weeks after the RSP won a landslide victory in the March 2025 elections, following a youth-led anti-corruption movement last year.
Cabinet spokesman Sasmit Pokharel said, "This judicial panel will investigate the assets of political officials and senior officers based on the law and evidence. The investigation will be conducted impartially and in accordance with legal standards based on evidence. The commission's report and recommendations will be implemented by government agencies."
The commission is headed by former Supreme Court judge Rajendra Kumar Bhandari. This move is considered to be the most comprehensive asset investigation of the political and administrative class since the establishment of democracy in Nepal.
Read More: Trump announces three-week ceasefire extension between Israel and Hezbollah
--Advertisement--
