Home Minister pledges full cooperation for CIAA probe into visit visa scam

Kathmandu, June 13: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has claimed he is being politically targeted in connection with the visit visa scam, asserting that he has no involvement in the matter.     

Addressing Friday's meeting of the House of Representatives, the Home Minister stated, “I am not responsible for the visit visa scam at all.” He added that the visit visa system has been in place for many years, and a greater number of people had taken advantage of the facility during the tenures of previous ministers.     

“The charges against me are politically motivated, intended to serve vested interests and tarnish my reputation,” he argued, calling for an end to such political culture. He expressed full support for the ongoing investigation anchored by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). It would be free from any interference, he assured.     

The Nepali Congress leader also reiterated his commitment to strengthening democracy. He said he learned through media reports that the CIAA had summoned Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Office Chief Tirtha Raj Bhattarai for interrogation into this topic.     

Minister Lekhak vowed initiation of policy, legal, and structural reforms at TIA immigration system within a week. He also welcomed the agreement between ruling and opposition parties to resume parliamentary proceedings.(RSS)