KATHMANDU: A group of 47 Nepali women who were attempting to travel to Kuwait on visit visas without proper authorization were intercepted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi and returned to Nepal.

The women, who lacked the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) to travel for foreign employment, were taken into custody with the coordination of the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi.

They were then brought back via land route and handed over to authorities in Rupandehi on Thursday night.

According to Rupandehi Chief District Officer Basudev Ghimire, the women were escorted from the Sunauli border to Rupandehi by a team led by Senior Superintendent of Police Prakash Malla from the Nepali Embassy, along with other embassy staff.

The group is now being transported to Kathmandu by the police for further investigation.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has instructed the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the case.

The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the minister has directed the Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau to probe the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

Minister Lekhak emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation into illegal foreign employment practices.