Passport Procurement Investigation Deepens As CIAA Detains Department Chief

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has detained Tirtha Raj Aryal, Director General of the Department of Passports, in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding Nepal's e-passport procurement process.

According to reports, several senior government officials have also come under scrutiny as investigators examine complaints related to the passport tender process conducted last year. The development comes as authorities continue gathering information regarding the procurement procedure and the awarding of contracts.

The controversy is linked to a tender issued in December 2024 for the procurement of 640,000 electronic passports over a five-year period. Concerns were raised after allegations surfaced that certain bidding conditions may have favored specific companies, potentially limiting fair competition among applicants.

Several companies and stakeholders subsequently filed complaints with oversight and regulatory bodies, including the CIAA, the Public Procurement Monitoring Office, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, and the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee. The complaints questioned the transparency and competitiveness of the bidding process.

Despite the objections, the Department of Passports later awarded two separate procurement packages valued at approximately Rs 6.11 Arba and Rs 1.55 Arba.

Sources familiar with the investigation said complaints submitted to authorities alleged that several politically connected individuals and business figures may have attempted to influence the procurement process. The allegations mention former Foreign Minister Arzu Deuba, her son Jayabir Deuba, businessman Manindra Raj Malla, and others.

Investigators have not officially shared evidence showing that everyone named in the complaints was directly involved in the tender process. However, reports say the roles of some people linked to the case are still being reviewed. Authorities are also said to be monitoring the involvement of several businesspersons and senior officials associated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The CIAA has not yet released detailed findings from the investigation. The inquiry remains ongoing as officials continue examining documents, complaints, and procurement records related to the e-passport project.