Thursday, February 17 2005 20:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Nepal's King Gyanendra today (Feb 17, 2005) announced the formation of a powerful six-member anti-graft commission that would probe and jail corrupt people and confiscate property amassed through abuse of authority and smuggling.

The King-constituted Corruption Control Commission would be headed by veteran bureaucrat Bhakta Bahadur Koirala and would have all powers of a court.

The royal commission would also seize and nationalise property amassed through abuse of authority and smuggling, a palace statement said.

"The commission can investigate, take action against any person on the basis of complaints or information received from any source in connection with smuggling or tax evasion, involvement in the dealing of illegal contracts and other works defined as corruption by existing laws," it said.

The commission would have the right to call any person before it, the statement said, adding that it take action in contempt cases and sentence anyone guilty of contempt of Commission to six months in prison or a fine of up to Rs 10,000 or both.

Members of the commission included Shambhu Prasad Khanal, Hari Babu Chaudhary, Raghuchandra Bahadur Singh and Prem Bahadur Khatri.

The formation of the commission follows a series of measures put in place by the King following the Feb 1, 2005 royal takeover and imposition of emergency.