DHARAN: Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has voiced serious concern over the ongoing visit visa scam, calling it both illegal and inhumane.

Speaking at the Dharan Sub-Metropolitan Convention of the Nepali Congress, Thapa condemned the involvement of state officials—those responsible for citizen safety and protection—in what he described as organized, exploitative actions against hundreds of Nepali citizens.

He stressed that such acts, carried out under the cover of official duty, are deeply disturbing and must be addressed without political or bureaucratic bias.

“Regardless of position or political affiliation—whether someone is in front of or behind the scenes—everyone involved must be brought within the purview of legal action. No one should escape accountability,” he stated.

Thapa outlined three key points regarding the issue. First, he highlighted the alarming scope of the scam, which has shocked the public and exposed just how entrenched and widespread the corrupt practices under the visit visa scheme have become.

According to him, the scandal shows that the network involved in duping Nepali citizens spans both the political and administrative spheres. He insisted that those who participated in such misconduct, irrespective of their rank or role, must face justice.

Second, he called upon the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to conduct a fearless and impartial investigation. He noted that the CIAA has already started probing key officials, including the head of the Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Thapa emphasized that the CIAA must resist political influence and not be swayed by public or institutional pressure. The investigation, he said, must dig deep into all layers of the scam—its roots, branches, and beneficiaries.
In the third and most politically sensitive point, Thapa addressed the controversy surrounding Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

Thapa explained that being named in public discourse does not automatically necessitate resignation under the law. However, he stressed that political ethics demand greater accountability.

If the investigation reaches Minister Lekhak, Thapa said, it would be appropriate for him to step aside to allow a fair and independent probe. He acknowledged Lekhak’s track record of integrity and expressed confidence in his ability to act responsibly.

Yet, he was clear that in a democracy governed by the rule of law, facts and evidence must outweigh personal belief or political loyalty.

Thapa concluded by urging the authorities not to let the investigation falter. He called for swift and meaningful legal and administrative reforms to permanently dismantle the visit visa racket.

The entire network responsible for defrauding and exploiting citizens, he said, must be uprooted. At the same time, measures must be introduced to ensure that ordinary Nepalis do not suffer similar fates in the future.

“There must be no confusion or compromise in this investigation. The guilty must be punished, the nexus must be broken, and the exploitation must end,” he said emphatically.