Thursday, February 17 2005 11:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Nepal's King Gyanendra has constituted a six-member anti-corruption commission to be endowed with powers to control graft, investigate and jail politicians and Government bureaucrats.

The Corruption Control Commission will be headed by Bhakta Bahadur Koirala, a former bureaucrat and would be granted authority equal to that enjoyed by the Himalayan Kingdom's Courts, a statement issued by the royal palace said.

"The commission can investigate and 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 actions defined as corruption by the existing laws," the notice said.

It can 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, the notice said.

The Commission will have the right to confiscate property of the individual earned through activities considered as corruption in accordance with prevalent laws.

The move follows a series of measures put in place by King Gyanendra following take over of power and imposition of emergency since February 1.

The move comes just a day before Opposition parties planned to take to the streets to protest Gyanendra's seizure of power tomorrow (Feb 18, 2005), which is also Democracy Day in Nepal.

A prominent Opposition leader Arjun Narsingh was arrested yesterday (Feb 16, 2005) shortly after he announced launching of an agitation by major political parties against the royal takeover.