Joint Secretary Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, who is under investigation by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), has been directed to report after 10 days.
Bhattarai, who had appeared before the CIAA for three days from May 21, has now been instructed to reappear after 10 days, according to a CIAA source.
The CIAA has sent Bhattarai’s mobile phone for forensic examination to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory of Nepal Police. Since the report has not arrived yet, the CIAA has directed him to appear only after 10 days.
"Regular investigation work is still ongoing. He has been asked to appear after 10 days once the report arrives," the CIAA source said. "He had appeared regularly for three days."
The CIAA conducted a raid at the Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport on May 21 following complaints that the office had colluded with intermediaries to send people abroad on visit visas in exchange for money. It also detained Joint Secretary Bhattarai, former chief of the Immigration Office, for questioning the same day. The Ministry of Home Affairs had transferred Bhattarai to the ministry from the Immigration Office only a day earlier.
The CIAA detained Bhattarai for a few hours before releasing him on the night on May 21.
According to the CIAA source, he was subjected to routine questioning that day.
"Initially, he was asked routine questions, including about his mental state and other related matters," the source said.
The CIAA has also brought some individuals associated with travel agencies and manpower agencies under investigation. Their mobile phones have also been sent to the forensic lab.
Following the CIAA raid, the Home Ministry transferred a large number of employees working at the Immigration Office. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has also been embroiled in the controversy recently.
