KATHMANDU, June 13: National Assembly member Gangakumari Belbase has called for the formation of a high-level investigation committee to study the recent controversy surrounding visit visas.
Speaking during the special hour of today’s National Assembly meeting, lawmaker Belbase stressed the need for such a committee to curb policy-level corruption and make the civil service more accountable.
Govt forms high-level committee to probe visit visa scandal

“To put an end to systemic corruption, it is essential to form a high-level probe committee that ensures efficiency within the administrative mechanism,” Belbase said. “An investigation must be carried out and those responsible must face consequences. We cannot let the guilty walk free while punishing the innocent. It is important to build public and international confidence that anyone found guilty will be brought under the rule of law.”
She noted that although opposition parties have demanded the resignation of the Home Minister, the immediate need is to swiftly establish an investigation committee and move forward with the probe. Even though the National Assembly has continued its sessions, the issue has received serious attention, she added.
Belbase remarked that the visit visa scandal has led to repeated obstructions in the House of Representatives and that irregularities at the Department of Immigration have pulled several officials into scrutiny, making an investigation essential.
“It has come to light that Nepali citizens are being sent abroad on visit visas and then taken to third countries through brokers,” she said, “Travel agencies, manpower agents, and government employees have all reportedly been involved in this corrupt network. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has already launched a probe, and the scandal has led to disruptions in the lower house. A high-level investigation committee is urgently needed.”
She further emphasized that forming such a committee is also necessary to demonstrate internationally that Nepal upholds the rule of law.