The Department of Money Laundering Investigation has started probing the assets of family members and other relatives of Chief Justice (CJ) Cholendra Shamsher JB Rana. The Department has appointed Deputy Secretary Mohan Dhakal and Branch Officer Krishna Mainali as Investigation Officers for the same.

On behalf of the Brihat Nagarik Andolan, Dr Govinda KC had lodged a complaint with the Department earlier this week seeking investigation into the assets of CJ Rana and his family members.

The complaint, along with a letter of attention, demanded an investigation into allegations that Chief Justice Rana, his brother, wife along with other family members and relatives, as well as judges and constitutional body officials working as intermediaries, had formed an organized gang and laundered property.

“The fact that the gang has laundered assets worth billions through illegal or fraudulent extortion, corruption and bribery, fraud, money laundering, and real estate and property related offenses — which are deemed illegal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act — is constantly being disseminated through the mass media. No investigation has been carried out in this regard so far,” the complaint said.

Director General of the Department Prem Prasad Bhattarai informed that the investigation had been started as soon as the complaint was lodged.

The Department, however, cannot investigate into Rana’s personal property.

Chief Justices of the country are exempted from such scrutiny by law while they are in office. The Department may investigate the assets of the CJ’s family members or others close to him and prosecute them if they are found to have obtained property from illegal sources.

For that, the Department can look into the bank accounts of Rana’s relatives, the amount and its sources. Land Revenue Offices across the country can also collect details of the land in their name and find the source of its purchase.

The Department was established in 2068 BS under the law enacted by the Legislature-Parliament in 2064 BS to prevent money laundering and financial investment in terrorist activities. The Department is now under the Prime Minister’s Office.

Meanwhile, a five-member delegation led by Dr KC met Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Thursday to draw his attention to a range of issues that includes malpractices in medical education, impeachment of Chief Justice Rana and concerns of the women activists from Banke.

On Sunday, he had issued a seven-point demand to the government saying the government must address his concerns without delay.

Prime Minister Deuba reportedly promised to address the issues raised by Dr KC after a discussion with his ministers and the parties in the ruling alliance.