The Nepal government has established a commission to investigate the assets of key political office holders and senior bureaucratic officials who have served in public office over the last two decades. This move comes amidst allegations of widespread corruption involving these individuals. The commission, comprising five members and led by former Supreme Court justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari, will scrutinize the properties of those who held state power from 2006 to 2026.
The Nepali Congress, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) or CPN-UML, and the erstwhile CPN (Maoist Centre) governed the country during this period, with their leaders facing accusations of amassing wealth through misuse of state authority. Notable figures such as former Prime Ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba, K P Sharma Oli, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ are currently under investigation for alleged money laundering activities. The government’s decision to form this commission aligns with the 100-point governance reform agenda introduced after Prime Minister Balendra Shah assumed office.
Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sasmit Pokharel, who also serves as the government’s spokesperson, disclosed that the investigative process would be conducted impartially based on evidence. The commission’s mandate includes collecting, verifying, and investigating asset details of political and bureaucratic leaders who held office between 2006 and 2026. The government plans to implement the commission’s findings and recommendations through the relevant authorities.
The announcement of this commission follows the Gen-Z protests in September last year, which led to the downfall of the government led by former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli. Subsequently, a new government under Sushila Karki was established, paving the way for parliamentary elections on March 5. The Rastriya Swatantra Party emerged as the largest political party post-elections, with senior leader Balendra Shah assuming the role of Prime Minister. Shah’s administration has initiated various anti-corruption measures in response to public concerns.
