The government has appointed joint secretary Sebantak Pokharel as acting chair of the Nepal Insurance Authority. Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Poudel administered the oath of office to Pokharel on Tuesday.

Pokharel will serve as chair until a permanent appointment is made, according to a decision taken by the Cabinet meeting held on Monday. The move follows the suspension of former chair Sharad Ojha, who is currently under investigation.

Ojha was automatically suspended after the government formed a three-member probe committee under former high court judge Krishna Giri, citing complaints filed against him.

The committee, constituted under Clause 12(2) of the Insurance Act 2022, also includes members Jiwan Prakash Sitaula and Kapil Dev Oli. The panel formally received its terms of reference on Tuesday.