KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court of Nepal has issued a show-cause order seeking clarification on the formation of the Assets Investigation Commission.

A writ petition was filed at the Supreme Court seeking the annulment of the commission, arguing that it is unlawful and unconstitutional.

Hearing the petition, a bench of Justice Bal Krishna Dhakal issued the show-cause order, directing the government to explain the basis for forming the commission. The court has also placed the case on priority (fast-track) hearing.

The petition argues that the mandate to investigate the assets of public officeholders already lies with established bodies such as the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) and other existing state mechanisms. It contends that the creation of a parallel commission with overlapping jurisdiction raises serious legal and constitutional questions.

The commission itself was formed following a Cabinet decision on April 14.

The Government of Nepal had decided to constitute a five-member commission under the chairmanship of former Justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari to investigate the assets of politicians and officials who have held top political and administrative positions over the past two decades.