KATHMANDU:  The Asset Investigation Commission has asked senior public officials who have held public office since 2005 to submit their asset details within one month.

The order applies to both current and former officials, including former prime ministers, ministers, lawmakers, constitutional office holders, judges, security officials, diplomats, and civil servants from joint-secretary level and above.

Officials can submit their property details personally, through representatives, or by email.

The commission warned that those who provide false or incomplete information, or fail to submit declarations within the deadline, will face legal action.

Provincial chiefs, chief ministers, local government heads, advisers, private secretaries, and diplomatic staff are also included in the investigation.

However, the President and Vice President are not on the list of officials subject to scrutiny.

The commission was formed on April 15 by a Cabinet meeting under the leadership of former Supreme Court justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari as part of the government’s anti-corruption drive.

Other members include former justices Chandi Raj Dhakal and Purushottam Parajuli, former Deputy Inspector General of Police Ganesh KC, and chartered accountant Prakash Lamsal.

The move has also been included in the government’s 100-point governance reform agenda, which pledged to establish a powerful asset investigation mechanism to combat corruption, concealment of wealth, and impunity.