KATHMANDU: The Special Court has begun recording statements from seven individuals, including Passport Department Director General Tirtharaj Aryal, following a Rs 10.13 billion corruption lawsuit filed by the CIAA.

The anti-graft body charged the government officials and representatives of foreign companies (Muehlbauer and Veridos) for colluding to cause massive financial losses to the state during the e-passport procurement process.

Detention hearings are scheduled to begin immediately after the statements are completed.