CIAA widens e-passport probe to include former Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba

Nepal's anti-corruption watchdog, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), has expanded its investigation into last year's e-passport procurement process to include former Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba. The CIAA is examining allegations that an unqualified company secured the contract at an inflated price, allegedly through political intervention.

On June 18, a CIAA team visited the Kathmandu residence of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to serve a summons for his wife, Arzu Rana Deuba. However, the couple is currently in Singapore for medical treatment and has not returned to Nepal. The summons was served outside their residence, with local officials confirming the procedure.

According to sources close to the CIAA, while no official documents directly link Arzu Rana Deuba to the procurement decisions, which are typically handled at the Director General level, complaints have been filed alleging her involvement. These complaints suggest that she and her son, Jayveer Deuba, played a role in structuring the contract and coordinating with bidders. Seized devices and analyzed phone contacts reportedly provide a basis for investigating her.

The Deuba couple has informed authorities of their intention to return to Nepal in two months. The CIAA's investigation continues into the procurement process, which has faced scrutiny over alleged irregularities and potential corruption. The anti-graft body is seeking to ascertain the extent of involvement of high-profile individuals in the awarding of the e-passport contract.

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In the course of that, certain devices were seized, and phone contacts were analyzed. On that basis, we needed to investigate her as well, which is why we attempted to call her in for a statement.