KATHMANDU: On May 21, 2025, a dramatic intervention by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) laid bare a festering issue within Nepal’s immigration and airport system. Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, a Joint Secretary at the Home Ministry who had just been transferred from his post as Chief Immigration Officer at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), was arrested after a raid by the CIAA.

The anti-graft agency, acting on multiple complaints, found substantial evidence suggesting Bhattarai’s involvement in a human trafficking ring. Electronic devices were confiscated, and early indications pointed to the illegal facilitation of foreign travel in exchange for money. This high-profile arrest turned the spotlight once again on the deep-rooted corruption and lax oversight that have plagued Nepal’s international gateway for years.

TIA as a gateway for illicit activities

Tribhuvan International Airport has long served not only as a vital infrastructural asset but also as a convenient node for various forms of organized criminal activities. Time and again, major scandals have broken out involving the illegal passage of gold, foreign currency, and even people. The airport, which should be a symbol of national integrity and security, has increasingly become synonymous with impunity and collusion among officials.

In July 2023, one of the biggest gold smuggling operations in recent memory was uncovered when authorities seized around 100 kilograms of gold concealed inside motorcycle brake shoes. The smuggled consignment, which had passed through TIA’s customs without detection, was later intercepted outside the airport premises. Several individuals were arrested, including a Chinese national and three Nepali accomplices. The incident starkly exposed the failure of security protocols at the customs desk and hinted at internal complicity in allowing such contraband to slip through the system.

Such cases are not new. Back in January 2017, another massive gold smuggling attempt was foiled when the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police seized 33 kilograms of gold from a passenger arriving from the UAE. The gold had already passed customs undetected and was only intercepted when the suspect was about to leave the airport premises. These cases illustrate that TIA’s vulnerabilities are not occasional lapses but symptoms of a chronic ailment.

Institutionalized corruption and administrative complicity

What emerges from the recurring scandals is not merely incompetence but systemic rot. The arrest of Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, a senior government official, underscores how high-level functionaries are not just negligent but allegedly complicit.

Such involvement from the top echelons suggests a deeply entrenched network of collusion that renders enforcement ineffective. Bribes, protection rackets, and silence in the face of illegality have become institutionalized, compromising the integrity of immigration services and security operations.

The frequent rotation of officials, ostensibly for reform, appears more cosmetic than corrective. Rather than breaking entrenched nexuses, these transfers often serve to shield accused officials from deeper investigation or allow them to restart their activities under a different title. There is a glaring lack of accountability and a near-total absence of preventive mechanisms.

Failures in customs

The ease with which contraband, particularly gold, bypasses customs inspection at TIA is alarming. Gold smuggling, while lucrative, poses a direct threat to Nepal’s financial system, undermining its foreign exchange reserves and destabilizing the formal market.  That such activities continue despite occasional crackdowns indicates that the security apparatus is either overwhelmed or compromised—or both.

Customs officers are the first line of defense against transnational crimes. Yet, time and again, customs checks have failed to intercept illicit goods. In many instances, it is only through external tip-offs or chance that smuggled items are seized. This reactive posture highlights a deficiency in the systemic design of airport security protocols. Surveillance, profiling, baggage checks, and human intelligence all appear to be inadequately deployed or effectively circumvented.

Collusion among stakeholders

The repeated scandals at TIA reveal a broader network of complicity involving a range of actors—from customs officials to security personnel and, increasingly, high-ranking bureaucrats. The alleged embezzlement in the perimeter lighting project at TIA further supports this theory.

In September 2024, the CIAA launched a probe into the installation of security lights worth around Rs 20 million. The investigation found that over half the allocated funds were embezzled, with the installed lights deemed substandard.

This kind of procurement fraud reflects a different but equally damaging aspect of TIA’s governance crisis. It shows how airport resources, intended for enhancing safety and security, are instead siphoned off through corrupt practices. When officials tasked with securing the airport infrastructure are themselves involved in fraudulent schemes, the ramifications are widespread—from safety lapses to broader reputational damage.

Inadequate accountability mechanisms

While the CIAA and law enforcement agencies have occasionally intervened, such actions have mostly been reactive. Investigations typically follow tip-offs, media exposure, or public outcry. There is a clear absence of institutionalized oversight or internal audit systems that can proactively detect or deter wrongdoing.

Moreover, even when arrests are made or goods are seized, the legal consequences for those involved tend to be limited. Cases drag on for years, and many accused walk free or return to government service without serious repercussions. This lack of consequences creates a culture of impunity, where the benefits of engaging in corruption outweigh the risks. Until there is a credible threat of detection and punishment, deterrence will remain weak.

The political economy of TIA corruption

Tribhuvan International Airport is not just a transportation hub; it is also a site of significant political and economic interest. Various stakeholders politicians, bureaucrats, contractors, and even international actors—see the airport as a lucrative zone for rent-seeking.

The overlapping jurisdictions and interests make it difficult to enforce a singular, cohesive regulatory framework. Political protection often shields corrupt officials, while regulatory bodies are rendered toothless.

Furthermore, the centralization of power in Kathmandu ensures that TIA remains under direct political patronage. Appointments to key positions, such as immigration officers or customs chiefs, are frequently influenced by political considerations rather than merit or expertise. As a result, administrative efficiency takes a backseat to political loyalty, further exacerbating the governance crisis.

International implications and reputational risk

The ongoing irregularities at TIA have consequences beyond Nepal’s borders. As the country’s main functioning international airport, its failings affect global perceptions of Nepal’s governance and institutional integrity. Foreign travelers, international airlines, diplomatic missions, and multilateral agencies all pass through TIA. When it is perceived as insecure or corrupt, the entire nation’s credibility suffers.

In particular, the ease with which human trafficking operations have allegedly been facilitated at the airport is deeply concerning. Nepal is already under international scrutiny for its vulnerabilities to trafficking and labor exploitation. When state officials are found to be complicit, it undermines efforts by civil society, NGOs, and even foreign governments that are working to curb such abuses. It also jeopardizes Nepal’s standing in global human rights assessments and aviation safety rankings.

The role of reform and the need for structural overhaul

Superficial fixes will not address the deep-rooted problems afflicting TIA. What is needed is a structural overhaul of governance mechanisms, supported by robust legal and institutional reforms.

This includes establishing an independent airport oversight body with real enforcement powers, implementing real-time surveillance and tracking systems, and ensuring merit-based appointments at every level.

Procurement processes must be digitized and made transparent to prevent embezzlement and collusion. Staff at customs, immigration, and security must undergo regular training, and those found guilty of misconduct should face swift and proportionate penalties. Whistleblower protections need to be strengthened to encourage internal reporting of malpractices. Above all, there must be political will to insulate TIA from undue influence and interference.

A litmus test for governance reform

The repeated irregularities at Tribhuvan International Airport are not isolated mishaps but indicators of a broader governance failure. From human trafficking and gold smuggling to embezzlement of infrastructure funds, the range and frequency of scandals point to a deeply compromised institutional culture.

While agencies like the CIAA have intervened sporadically, their efforts remain insufficient without a comprehensive strategy to tackle systemic rot.

TIA’s fate is emblematic of the challenges facing Nepal’s public sector more broadly. Unless addressed urgently and decisively, these failures will continue to erode public trust, hamper economic development, and tarnish the country’s international reputation.

Reforming TIA is not just about fixing an airport—it is about reaffirming the state’s capacity to govern with integrity and purpose.