Nepal’s e-Passport Scandal Escalates as CIAA Files Major Corruption Case

Nepal’s troubled e-passport procurement saga has entered a new and more serious phase, with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filing a corruption case at the Special Court against 18 people, including former Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba.

The case centers on alleged irregularities in the tendering, contracting, and printing process for electronic passports, a high-stakes public project that has become one of the country’s most closely watched anti-corruption battles.

What the CIAA is alleging

According to the news reports, the CIAA says the procurement process involved significant financial misconduct and procedural flaws, with investigators examining how the e-passport deal was structured and awarded.

The anti-graft body has already widened its probe in recent days, summoning representatives of the German firms linked to the project and detaining several officials connected to the Department of Passports.

Earlier reporting also indicated that investigators were looking into claims that the tender may have been designed in a way that favored specific bidders through restrictive technical and financial requirements.

Why this case matters

The e-passport project is not just a routine procurement dispute. It affects a core government service used by millions of Nepalis and carries major implications for digital governance, public trust, and state spending.

The case has also raised questions about the division of the procurement into separate packages, the handling of technical evaluation, and whether delays and quality issues damaged the rollout of the new passport system.

Who is facing scrutiny

Alongside Arzu Rana Deuba, the CIAA’s case names 17 other defendants, according to the news summary. Separate reporting shows that the investigation has already reached former passport department officials, Nepali representatives of the contractor side, and foreign company representatives involved in the project.

The widening list of names suggests the CIAA is treating the case as more than an internal administrative lapse. It is being pursued as a broader corruption investigation tied to a major public contract.

How the investigation intensified

Recent reports show the CIAA moved from investigation to enforcement by arresting and questioning multiple individuals and issuing summons to company representatives. That escalation signals that investigators believe the evidence is strong enough to support formal court action.

The filing at the Special Court marks the most consequential step so far and could shape how Nepal handles future large-scale technology procurements, especially those involving foreign vendors and sensitive state infrastructure.

What happens next

With the case now before the Special Court, the legal process will determine whether the CIAA can substantiate its allegations of corruption, procurement manipulation, and financial loss. If the case advances, it could become one of Nepal’s most important public-sector corruption trials in years.