Nepal corruption case filed against passport chief, 17 others over $84 million deal

Nepal's anti-graft body has filed a corruption case at the Special Court against 18 defendants, including the director general of the Department of Passports and officials from two foreign companies. The case centers on alleged irregularities in the procurement of e-passports valued at 10.13 billion Nepali rupees.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) is seeking the recovery of the entire sum. Among the 16 individuals charged are Tirtha Raj Aryal, the director general, along with IT, accounts, and administrative officials. Two foreign companies, Muehlbauer ID Services and Veridos, and four of their foreign nationals are also implicated.

Nepali facilitators Siddhartha Thapa and Manindra Raj Malla are also named in the charge sheet. The investigation gained momentum after a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister's Office, reportedly urging the CIAA to act against Aryal. An arrest warrant was issued, leading to his detention. Seven of the accused are in CIAA custody and have been presented to the Special Court, which is now reviewing the case documents.