The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority on Tuesday formed a probe panel to conduct investigation against Raj Narayan Pathak, the CIAA commissioner who resigned on Friday after being embroiled in a corruption scandal.

According to CIAA Spokesperson Rameshwor Dangal, a three-member committee headed by a joint secretary has been formed to look into the corruption allegation against Pathak.

Read: Anti-corruption commissioner resigns over bribery scandal

The committee was formed a day the Office of the Attorney General gave a nod to the anti-graft watchdog to investigate Pathak. The commission had sought the attorney general’s opinion on Monday morning amid confusion over the constitutional provision if it authorised the CIAA to probe and prosecute a constitutional body officer bearer. 

More: Attorney general says CIAA can probe Pathak corruption case

Article 239 (3) of the constitution might be interpreted that the commission can initiate action against an office bearer of a constitutional body only when he or she is removed through impeachment, according CIAA officials.

Despite video evidence of Pathak admitting to have received Rs 7.8 million in bribe, there were concern whether he would also get away without prosecution for corruption like other people who committed excesses as constitutional office holders in the past.

Pathak was embroiled in a controversy after video leaks showed him admitting to have received money to settle a case related to Nepal Engineering College. The college dispute had landed in the anti-corruption watchdog about a year ago. The Changunarayan-based college, established as a non-profit social academic institute in 1994, was caught in a dispute after a group led by Lambodar Kumar Neupane attempted to convert it into a private limited company in May last year.