May 23, Kathmandu- Following an investigation launched by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the Ministry of Home Affairs has transferred eight employees from the Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport.

The transfers took place on Thursday, with officials including Prem Prasad Poudel and Birbhadra Joshi being reassigned to the Kathmandu District Administration Office. Nasu Nar Bahadur Thapa has been transferred to the District Administration Office in Banke.

Additionally, assistant computer operator Kamala Shrestha and computer operators Uden Subedi, Pradeep Kumar Yadav, Pawan Gurung, and Dhanraj Upadhyay have been moved to the Prison Management Department or its subordinate offices. The Home Ministry had previously removed the responsibilities of Immigration Chief Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, transferring him to the Home Department. Overall, the Ministry has already shifted 15 personnel from the Immigration Office.

Immediately after his transfer, CIAA officials raided the immigration office, taking control of the immigration chief and seizing his mobile phone and other devices.

The investigation centres on allegations that the immigration office facilitated illegal transfers of money through intermediaries and enabled individuals to obtain visit visas under dubious circumstances. Authorities suspect that some staff may have been involved in helping people transfer large sums of money abroad unlawfully.

In response to the ongoing probe, the Home Ministry has reshuffled a significant number of employees at the Immigration Office to address the allegations and ensure accountability.