(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the existing law, if it appears from any source during the course of investigation into offences of corruption that there has been financial transaction or operation of an account in the name of any person with any bank or financial institution within the country or in any foreign country, the investigating authority may order to freeze such transaction or account. The concerned bank or financial institute shall freeze such transaction or account in accordance with the order of the investigating authority.
Provided that in case such transaction or account to be freeze is with a bank or financial institution in a foreign country, the investigation authority may cause to freeze the operation of transaction or account through the diplomatic channel.
(2) The investigating authority may impose a fine of fifty thousand rupees in maximum to the chief of the concerned bank or financial institution located in Nepal not freezing transactions or accounts pursuant to Sub-section (1).
(3) The investigation authority may, if it deems fit in the course of investigation, according to the need, ask for the statement of property belonging to persons holding an office of public responsibility or freeze such
property.