KATHMANDU, June 16: A striking scene is unfolding in the archives of the Federal Parliament Secretariat and various ministries at Singha Durbar. Former prime ministers, ex-ministers, senior bureaucrats and policy experts—once involved in shaping state policies—are now seen flipping through dusty old files or seeking help from computer sections to retrieve decades-old records.
The unusual rush has been triggered by a demand from the “Asset Investigation and Inquiry Commission, 2026,” formed under the leadership of former Supreme Court Justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari. Those required to submit asset details are now struggling to trace the sources of their wealth, with many admitting that reconstructing financial histories has become a difficult task.
Former officials say they are finding it increasingly hard to explain the origins of their assets. Former Foreign Secretary Madhuraman Acharya recently captured the mood on social media platform X with a sarcastic remark: “As far as I understand from friends, half of the people are busy filing asset declarations, while the other half are busy applying for ambassadorial and other posts.”
Although annual asset declarations by public officials are not new, in the past they were largely treated as a formality—filled on paper, sealed in envelopes, and stored away in the National Vigilance Centre. This time, however, the process has changed significantly. The commission has introduced a detailed format requiring not only asset disclosure but also verified proof of income sources.
Former Nepali Congress MP Arjun Prasad Joshi, for instance, has returned to Parbat district to search through old records. Since he also taught at Ratna Rajya Campus until 1995, he is even seeking salary-related documents from the institution. Although he was never a minister, he served as a Member of Parliament three times, elected in 1999, 2008, and 2013.
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The growing urgency reflects the pressure created by the commission, which has clearly unsettled many former officeholders. In its first phase, the probe covers asset records of public officials from 2005/06 to 2025/26.
The asset declaration form under the commission’s working procedure is far more complex than before. It is now considered a digital and forensic-level verification document. Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry Secretary Parashwar Dhungana said he has already filled in details of his income and expenditure from his years of posting in various districts, though he admitted it was extremely difficult to compile.
“It was very challenging. Tracking income and expenses from different postings was difficult, but I had maintained records with receipts, which made it somewhat easier. Many may not have done so,” he said.
Even former press advisers and personal secretaries of speakers are now visiting the Parliament Secretariat, seeking guidance on how to submit their asset details. Officials say they are being asked to justify the sources of their assets.
The commission is also digitizing historical salary records dating back to 1960 and cross-checking them with declared assets. In effect, the system will mathematically compare lifetime legal income with property holdings, including land, houses, and share investments. Any mismatch between declared income and accumulated wealth will trigger further investigation.
The form also requires disclosure of not only assets but also travel allowances, foreign study or mission approvals, and official authorization letters. More notably, the commission has reportedly demanded social media identifiers such as Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn accounts to track lifestyle patterns.
Officials say previously hidden assets were often placed in the names of relatives to avoid scrutiny. “This time, the scope of joint family assets has been expanded so widely that even family members who never held public office may be required to justify their income sources,” a government official said.
Political leaders themselves acknowledge the difficulty in proving income sources. “Salary records may exist in banks, but when we travel to villages and districts, we spend large amounts on party workers and tea receptions. Those expenses are not documented. Even gifts create complications in terms of disclosure,” said a party leader.
The initial 30-day deadline for submitting asset details was extended until mid-July due to insufficient time. So far, more than 4,000 individuals—including former justices, ministers, military officers, and civil servants—have submitted their declarations.
However, major political figures who have led the country since 2006, including Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhalanath Khanal, Baburam Bhattarai, Khil Raj Regmi, and KP Sharma Oli, have not yet filed their details with the commission. Reports suggest they are deploying aides to search for records. Sher Bahadur Deuba is currently abroad. Former prime ministers Girija Prasad Koirala and Sushil Koirala have passed away.
Meanwhile, CPN-UML Chair and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli publicly opposed the commission during a speech in Kathmandu on June 3, saying: “I will fill my asset declaration with ashes. What more do you want? Burn it and take it if needed. We do not recognize such commissions.”
There is also a practical challenge: many old government records were destroyed in fires during past political movements, making documentation difficult to recover.
Following the formation of a new government on March 27 under Rastriya Swatantra Party senior leader Balendra Shah, the powerful commission was established on April 15. If it manages to avoid political misuse, observers say the Asset Investigation and Inquiry Commission, 2026 could become a historic turning point in promoting financial transparency among public officeholders in Nepal.
