Arzu Rana Deuba Emails Commission Regarding Passport Purchase Irregularities

Kathmandu. With the deadline for her statement postponed regarding irregularities in passport printing, Congress leader Arzu Rana Deuba has emailed the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority. Former Foreign Minister Deuba, in an email to the CIAA address, said, 'I am abroad, I cannot come within 3 days.' A high-ranking official of the CIAA confirmed that Arzu had emailed stating she could not come. She did not disclose which country she was in the email.

The CIAA had served the notice at Deuba's house on Ashad 2. According to the notice served at her home, she was asked to appear in Room No. 12 at the Commission's headquarters in Tangal within 3 days. The Commission's letter stated, 'If you do not appear, action will be taken according to the law.' Arzu is said to be currently in Hong Kong.

The Commission is investigating by arresting four people including the Director General of the Department of Passports, Tirtharaj Aryal, and the Information Technology Director of the Department, Sunil Kumar KC. Those arrested include the Nepal representative of the German company Mulbauer, Munindra Raj Malla, and the then Accounts Officer of the Department of Passports, Tulsiprasad Acharya.

The preliminary investigation conclusion of the Commission is that there was an irregularity of approximately 8 billion rupees in the purchase of passports with the collusion of Arzu and others.