Nepal Home Minister Lekhak Defends Amid Visit Visa Scandal Calls

Key Takeaways

• Nepali Home Minister Lekhak denies corruption amid Visit Visa scandal involving Rs 50,000 to Rs 300,000 illegal charges.
• CIAA investigates Tribhuvan Airport staff and ministry officials for facilitating illegal visit visas instead of work permits.
• Opposition demands Lekhak’s resignation; ruling party supports him despite internal divisions and ongoing anti-corruption probe.

A major political and immigration scandal has erupted in Nepal, putting Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak at the center of a growing storm. The controversy, known as the Visit Visa scandal, involves allegations of corruption and illegal facilitation of foreign travel for Nepali nationals through visit visas. The scandal has triggered calls for Lekhak’s resignation, intense debate within the ruling Nepali Congress party, and a wide-ranging investigation by Nepal’s top anti-corruption agency. The events have unfolded at Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal’s main international gateway, and have exposed deep problems in the country’s immigration and labor migration systems.

What Happened? The Visit Visa Scandal Explained

The Visit Visa scandal centers on claims that officials at Tribhuvan International Airport, including the chief of its Immigration Office, Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, helped Nepali citizens travel abroad using visit visas instead of proper work permits. This practice is illegal and leaves workers unprotected and at risk of exploitation. According to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), immigration staff allegedly collected large sums of money from people wanting to travel, passing some of these funds up to higher officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

• Amounts charged: Nepali nationals were reportedly asked to pay between Rs 50,000 and Rs 300,000 for these illegal services.
• Destinations: Most travelers were headed to Persian Gulf countries, where many Nepalis seek work.
• Method: Instead of going through the legal labor migration process, which requires a work permit and provides some protection, these individuals were sent on visit visas, which are meant for tourism or short visits, not employment.

This system has been described by investigators as a form of human trafficking, as it bypasses legal channels and exposes workers to serious risks.

How Did the Scandal Come to Light?

The scandal broke open in late May 2025, when the CIAA began investigating reports of corruption at Tribhuvan International Airport. On May 21, 2025, the CIAA interrogated Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, the airport’s Immigration Office chief. Bhattarai was briefly detained, and his mobile phone and other electronic devices were seized for forensic analysis. This move signaled that the investigation was serious and that authorities were looking for digital evidence of wrongdoing.

Shortly after the interrogation, Home Minister Lekhak transferred Bhattarai from the airport back to the ministry. Critics saw this as an attempt to protect Bhattarai from further investigation. The transfer raised suspicions about whether Lekhak was trying to shield his subordinate or even cover up deeper problems within the ministry.

Home Minister Lekhak’s Response

Facing mounting pressure, Home Minister Lekhak broke his silence on May 24, 2025. He strongly denied any involvement in the Visit Visa scandal, stating that if anyone could prove he was involved in corruption—whether related to this case or any other—he would resign immediately and leave politics for good. Lekhak also promised to address the House of Representatives on May 27, 2025, to explain his position in detail.

During a key meeting of the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) party on May 26, Lekhak reportedly offered to resign if his presence was causing problems for the party. However, party president Sher Bahadur Deuba rejected this offer, saying there was no need for Lekhak to step down. Deuba reportedly told Lekhak, “Other Home Ministers have also faced various accusations. Allegations come and go. There is no need to resign. The party will stand by you.”

Who Are the Key Players?

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak

• Denies wrongdoing: Lekhak insists he is not involved in the Visit Visa scandal and has challenged anyone to prove otherwise.
• Public statement: He has promised to clarify his position before parliament and has offered to resign if credible evidence emerges.
• Defensive stance: Lekhak argues that he should not be held responsible for the actions of individual employees within his ministry.

Nepali Congress (NC)

• Support for Lekhak: The party leadership, including president Deuba, has decided to back Lekhak and not demand his resignation.
• Official position: NC spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat stated that there is no basis to consider Lekhak guilty at this stage.
• Internal divisions: Some NC leaders, like Dr. Shekhar Koirala, have called for Lekhak’s resignation on moral grounds, leading to internal party tensions.

Opposition Parties

• Demand for resignation: The main opposition, CPN (Maoist Center), and the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have both called for Lekhak to step down.
• Reason: They argue that Lekhak’s resignation is necessary to allow a transparent investigation and restore public trust.

CIAA (Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority)

• Ongoing investigation: The CIAA is actively investigating the Visit Visa scandal, focusing on links between Bhattarai, ministry officials, and possibly Lekhak’s own secretariat.
• Evidence gathering: The agency has seized electronic devices and is conducting forensic analysis to uncover any digital evidence of corruption.

Why Is This Scandal So Serious?

The Visit Visa scandal is not just about individual wrongdoing. It exposes deep problems in Nepal’s immigration and labor migration systems. Here’s why the scandal matters:

• Human trafficking risk: Sending workers abroad on visit visas, instead of through legal labor migration channels, leaves them vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and even trafficking.
• Corruption: The scandal suggests that corruption may reach high levels within the Ministry of Home Affairs, undermining trust in government institutions.
• Policy failure: Critics say that Lekhak’s decisions—such as appointing Bhattarai to the airport and ignoring complaints about illegal activities—have allowed corrupt networks to flourish.
• Political instability: The scandal has divided the ruling party and given opposition parties a powerful issue to rally around.

How Does the Visit Visa Scam Work?

To understand the impact, it’s important to see how the scam operated:

1. Recruitment: Nepali nationals, often young men and women seeking work abroad, were approached by agents or officials promising to help them travel.
2. Payment: These individuals paid large sums of money, sometimes their life savings, to secure a visit visa.
3. Facilitation: Immigration officials at Tribhuvan International Airport allegedly helped these travelers bypass normal checks and board flights to countries like those in the Persian Gulf.
4. No protection: Once abroad, these workers had no legal work status and were at the mercy of employers, often facing poor conditions and little recourse if things went wrong.

This system not only breaks Nepal’s laws but also international agreements on labor migration and anti-trafficking.

What Are the Implications for Stakeholders?

For Nepali Migrant Workers

• Increased risk: Workers sent on visit visas have no legal protection in destination countries. They can be exploited, abused, or even trafficked.
• Financial loss: Many families borrow money or sell assets to pay for these illegal arrangements, only to find themselves in worse situations abroad.

For the Government

• Loss of credibility: The scandal has damaged the reputation of the Home Ministry and the government as a whole.
• Pressure for reform: There are growing calls for stricter oversight of immigration offices and labor migration processes.

For Political Parties

• Ruling party divisions: The Nepali Congress faces internal conflict, with some leaders supporting Lekhak and others demanding his resignation.
• Opposition momentum: Opposition parties are using the scandal to push for greater accountability and transparency.

For Law Enforcement

• Challenge of investigation: The CIAA must conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, even as political pressure mounts.
• Potential for wider arrests: If evidence links more officials to the scam, further arrests and disciplinary actions could follow.

What Happens Next?

The coming days are critical. Home Minister Lekhak is set to address the House of Representatives, where he will try to clear his name and explain his actions. The Maoist Center and other opposition parties plan to raise the issue in parliament, demanding answers and possibly pushing for a vote of no confidence.

Meanwhile, the CIAA’s investigation continues. The agency has not yet released details of its findings, but media reports suggest that officials from Lekhak’s secretariat may also be involved. The focus is now on the connections between Bhattarai, ministry officials, and the broader network that enabled the scam.

Background: Nepal’s Labor Migration System

Nepal 🇳🇵 is one of the world’s top labor-sending countries, with millions of its citizens working abroad, especially in the Persian Gulf and Malaysia. Remittances from these workers are a major part of Nepal’s economy. However, the country’s labor migration system has long been plagued by corruption, weak oversight, and abuse.

• Legal process: Nepalis seeking work abroad are supposed to go through a formal process, including getting a work permit and registering with the government. This system is designed to protect workers and ensure they have legal status in destination countries.
• Visit visas: These are meant for tourism or short visits, not employment. Using visit visas for work is illegal and dangerous.
• Past scandals: This is not the first time Nepal’s immigration system has faced corruption allegations. However, the current scandal is notable for reaching the highest levels of government.

For more information on Nepal’s labor migration policies and the legal process for working abroad, readers can visit the Department of Immigration, Government of Nepal.

Media and Public Reaction

The Visit Visa scandal has dominated headlines in Nepal. Social media is full of debate, with many people demanding accountability and reform. Some see Lekhak’s offer to resign as a sign of responsibility, while others view it as a political tactic.

• Mainstream media: Newspapers and TV channels have covered the story extensively, focusing on the political fallout and the human cost of illegal migration.
• Social media: Hashtags related to the scandal are trending, with users sharing stories of relatives and friends who have suffered due to illegal migration.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Future Scandals?

Experts and activists suggest several steps to prevent similar scandals:

• Stronger oversight: Regular audits and monitoring of immigration offices, especially at key points like Tribhuvan International Airport.
• Clear accountability: Holding senior officials responsible for the actions of their subordinates.
• Public awareness: Educating potential migrant workers about the risks of using visit visas for work and the importance of following legal channels.
• International cooperation: Working with destination countries to crack down on illegal migration and protect workers’ rights.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, scandals like this highlight the urgent need for transparency and reform in Nepal’s immigration and labor migration systems. Without real change, workers will continue to be at risk, and public trust in government will remain low.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

The Visit Visa scandal has exposed serious problems in Nepal’s immigration system and put Home Minister Lekhak under intense scrutiny. As the investigation continues and political debate heats up, the focus must remain on protecting migrant workers and restoring trust in public institutions. The coming weeks will show whether Nepal 🇳🇵 can address these challenges and prevent similar scandals in the future.

For Nepali citizens considering work abroad, it is vital to use legal channels and avoid shortcuts that can lead to exploitation. The government, political parties, and civil society all have a role to play in ensuring that migration is safe, legal, and fair for everyone involved.

Learn Today

Visit Visa → A visa intended for tourism or short visits, not for employment, which is illegal to use for work purposes.
Home Minister → Government official responsible for internal affairs, including immigration and public security in Nepal.
Tribhuvan International Airport → Nepal’s main international airport and central point for immigration and migration processing.
CIAA → Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, Nepal’s top anti-corruption agency conducting the investigation.
Work Permit → A legal authorization required for foreign employment, providing protection and rights to migrant workers.

This Article in a Nutshell

Nepal faces a Visit Visa scandal exposing corruption and illegal labor migration. Home Minister Lekhak denies involvement, amid protests and investigations led by CIAA at Tribhuvan Airport, highlighting systemic failures endangering migrant workers and Nepal’s political stability.
— By VisaVerge.com