Government’s asset scrutiny drive faces resistance as filings fall short
Summary
Nepal's government faces resistance in its asset scrutiny drive as only about 10,000 out of an estimated 25,000 officials have submitted disclosures, with former judges challenging the commission's legality and urging boycott.
Key Points
- Nepal's government launched a drive to scrutinize assets of officials serving since 2006, including senior political and government figures.
- A commission led by former Supreme Court justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari was formed to collect and verify asset declarations but has received only about 10,000 filings out of an expected 25,000.
- The Forum Judges Forum and several retired judges are openly resisting the commission, challenging its constitutionality and refusing to submit disclosures.
- Judicial Council Act mandates confidential annual asset disclosures for judges, and former judges argue only the Judicial Council has authority to investigate them, not this commission.
