From wealth probe to Supreme Court showdown: Everything you need to know about Nepal’s Property Inquiry Commission
Summary
Nepal's Property Inquiry Commission was established in 2026 to investigate wealth accumulation by political and bureaucratic elites over two decades. Led by former Supreme Court justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari, it screens asset declarations but cannot prosecute, referring suspicious cases to the anti-corruption body. Legal challenges have arisen over its authority to investigate retired judges and senior officials.
Key Points
- The Property Inquiry Commission was formed in April 2026 to investigate disproportionate wealth among Nepal's political and bureaucratic elites since 2006.
- The commission is chaired by former Supreme Court justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari and includes former judges, a retired police officer, and a chartered accountant.
- It reviews asset declarations and complaints, forwarding suspected illegal wealth cases to Nepal's anti-corruption authority for prosecution.
- The commission faces legal challenges over its mandate to investigate retired judges and senior military officers, leading to a Supreme Court standoff.
