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Nepal Government Under Fire Over E-Passport Contract Investigation

Published on: 21 Jun 2026, 11:54 PM

A meeting convened by Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on June 15 with senior officials from the anti-corruption body and foreign ministry has drawn renewed scrutiny amid an ongoing investigation into the procurement of electronic passports.

The meeting involved Chief Commissioner Prem Rai of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) and Foreign Secretary Amrit Rai, who attended following a verbal summons, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

Discussions reportedly focused on the award of contracts for printing and supplying more than six million electronic passports. The probe has sparked both political and diplomatic controversy, as the contract involves international suppliers and significant public funds.

Details of the investigation remain confidential, but sources indicate that the procurement process is under review for potential irregularities. The government has not issued an official statement on the meeting or the probe.

Source: Indian Express

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