How to Report Corruption to the CIAA in Nepal (Online, Hotline 107, and In Person)

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA, in Nepali अख्तियार दुरुपयोग अनुसन्धान आयोग) is Nepal's apex constitutional anti-corruption body. It is empowered by Articles 238 and 239 of the Constitution of Nepal 2015 and operates under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059 and the CIAA Act, 2048.

The CIAA investigates people holding public office, and their associates, for abuse of authority committed through corruption. It can open cases from a public complaint, a whistleblower, media reports, or on its own initiative (suo moto). After investigating, it files charges in the Special Court in Kathmandu; the CIAA itself investigates and prosecutes but does not decide guilt.

Corruption complaints the CIAA typically handles include:

You can lodge a corruption complaint (ujuri) through several official channels. Choose whichever is easiest and safest for you; all reach the same complaint registry.

The main channels are:

A clear, specific, evidence-backed complaint is far easier for the CIAA to act on than a vague accusation. On the online form, the accused person or institution's name and a description of the complaint are mandatory, and you can upload files (commonly jpeg, jpg, png, pdf, and doc, subject to a size limit around 5 MB; verify the current limit on the form).

Try to include as much of the following as you can:

Yes, you can report anonymously. The online form includes an option to withhold your name (नाम उल्लेख गर्न नचाहने), and phone or postal complaints can also be made without identifying yourself.

The Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059 requires that the identity of a person who provides information about corruption be kept confidential, and the law allows rewards for people who assist with an inquiry, investigation, or the collection of evidence. In practice, however, Nepal's whistleblower-protection framework is widely regarded as limited compared with international standards, so exercise caution and keep copies of your evidence.

Note that a fully anonymous complaint can be harder to investigate because the CIAA may be unable to contact you for clarification or additional evidence. If you are willing to be contacted but want your identity kept confidential, say so explicitly and confirm the confidentiality protections with the CIAA.

After a complaint is submitted, the CIAA registers it and carries out a preliminary inquiry to assess whether it has legal merit and falls within CIAA jurisdiction. Many complaints are screened out at this stage if they lack basis or belong to another agency.

If there are sufficient grounds, the CIAA opens a full investigation, which can involve collecting documents, tracing finances and property, surveillance, and questioning those involved. If the investigation finds evidence of corruption, the CIAA files a charge sheet in the Special Court in Kathmandu, which then conducts the trial and decides the case.

Timelines vary widely and the CIAA does not routinely update every complainant on progress. For the status of a specific complaint or a reference number, contact the CIAA directly; verify the current status-tracking procedure with the CIAA.

The CIAA's mandate is limited to corruption and abuse of authority by public officials. Sending an out-of-scope complaint to the wrong body only delays action, so check the boundaries below and, if in doubt, ask the CIAA where your issue should go.

Matters generally outside the CIAA's jurisdiction include:

The CIAA head office is in Tangal, Kathmandu (Thirbam Sadak; P.O. Box 9996). Alongside the head office, the CIAA operates regional and liaison offices so complaints can be lodged closer to home; reported locations include Itahari, Bardibas, Hetauda, Pokhara, Butwal, Nepalgunj, Surkhet, and Kanchanpur.

Key contacts (confirm the latest numbers and office list on ciaa.gov.np/contact):