Kathmandu: A parliamentary committee has unanimously approved an amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act-2059, significantly enhancing the investigative authority of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee passed the bill on Thursday, introducing provisions that will allow the CIAA to access telephone records of individuals under investigation with court approval. This includes intercepting calls or requesting data from relevant institutions to aid investigations.
The amendment also grants the CIAA five additional methods for conducting inquiries: controlled investigations (controlled delivery), undercover operations, telephone or media interception with judicial consent, access to electronic device systems, and continuous surveillance of suspects to gather evidence.
If the bill is approved by the full parliament, these expanded powers are expected to bolster the CIAA’s efforts in combating corruption across the country.