How pressure from the prime minister’s office is accelerating the passport investigation
Summary
Nepal's Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority faced pressure from Prime Minister Balendra Shah's advisers to accelerate a probe into irregularities in passport procurement, resulting in the arrest of several officials and raising concerns about executive overreach.
Key Points
- CIAA officials were summoned to the Prime Minister's Office to expedite investigation into irregularities in Nepal's passport procurement contract.
- Several officials, including the Department of Passports Director General, were arrested following an emergency warrant issued during the meeting at the PMO.
- German companies Veridos GmbH and Muehlbauer were central to the disputed e-passport contract awarded amid allegations of procurement irregularities.
- The German Ambassador's visit to the PMO was met with resistance by the PM's advisers, highlighting diplomatic tensions amid the investigation.
