KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against 18 individuals and entities over alleged irregularities in the passport printing procurement process. The case has been registered at the Special Court.

According to Special Court Information Officer Parbati Hitalani, the CIAA has claimed a total amount of Rs 10.13 billion (Rs 10,13,04,61,477) in damages.
Those named in the case include 16 individuals and two German companies. The defendants also include four foreign nationals associated with the companies, along with Nepali representatives. Among the accused are 10 government employees.

The list of accused includes Director General of the Department of Passports Tirtharaj Aryal, IT Director Sunil Kumar KC, Accounting Officer Tulsi Prasad Acharya, along with officials Rabin Raj Bhandari, Rajaram Dahal, Bhekh Prasad Bhurtel, Pushparaj Nepal, Somesh Thapa, and Bipin Prasain, among others.

Nepali local representative Siddhartha Thapa and Manindra Raj Malla have also been charged. The CIAA had also called in former Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba for questioning in connection with the alleged irregularities.

The two German companies involved in the contract-Veridos and Muhlbauer-are also named in the case. According to the CIAA, Muhlbauer received a contract worth Rs 1.55 billion, while Veridos secured a contract worth Rs 6.55 billion. The companies are also reported to have received advance payments of around Rs 1 billion.