Kathmandu, Jan. 16 -- Over 50 Nepalis have invested in offshore companies, exploiting secretive tax regimes and breaking Nepal's law which bars investment in foreign countries, an investigation by the Centre for Investigative Journalism has found.

The report 'Nepal Leaks 2019: Illegal Wealth Watch,' based on an analysis of over 3,000 financial and court documents and interviews with over 70 individuals, was published Wednesday night.

Those involved in offshore investment include politicians to high-flying businessman-some of whom are non-resident Nepalis-to doctors and hoteliers, as well as at least half a dozen individuals whose names were previously unheard of in the public sphere.

Former lawmaker Birendra Mahato and his brother Upen...