Nepal’s anti-corruption watchdog has summoned former foreign minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba for questioning over her alleged involvement in irregularities linked to a controversial passport printing contract that is already under intense investigation.
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) served a notice at Deuba’s Budhanilkantha residence earlier this week, directing her to appear before investigators within three days. The notice warns that legal action could follow if she fails to comply.
The summons comes as the CIAA expands its investigation into alleged corruption in the procurement and printing of Nepal’s electronic passports. Several officials including Department of Passports Director General Tirtha Raj Aryal have already been arrested while other government officials and representatives of the contractor company have been questioned.
However, Deuba is unlikely to appear within the stipulated timeframe. According to CIAA sources, she sent an email to the commission stating that she is currently abroad for medical treatment and is unable to return to Nepal immediately. In the message, she said she was prepared to fully cooperate with the investigation once her health condition permits.
Deuba and her husband, former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba travelled to Singapore for medical treatment in February and are currently believed to be in Hong Kong. The couple is also facing scrutiny in a separate money laundering investigation.
The passport procurement case has emerged as one of the most closely watched corruption probes in recent years. Investigators are examining the actions of more than 30 individuals suspected of involvement in the deal.
According to officials, the CIAA suspects procurement procedures may have been manipulated from the beginning, including irregularities in bid evaluation and possible collusion between government officials and contractors.
The investigation has also widened to include concerns over the implementation of the contract. Authorities are examining delays in biometric data migration, questions over passport quality and the risk of passport shortages as existing stocks diminish.
The contract was awarded to German firms Veridos and Muehlbauer after replacing the previous French supplier, IDEMIA.
Investigators are assessing whether the procurement process caused financial losses to the state and whether technical flaws in the project could affect Nepal’s passport supply in the future.
With senior political figures now drawn into the investigation, the case is expected to intensify scrutiny of public procurement practices and accountability within the country’s administrative system.
