The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has detained Tirtha Raj Aryal, director general of the Department of Passports, as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities in a passport procurement contract.

A team from the anti-graft body took Aryal into custody from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday evening and placed him in detention for questioning.

According to a source familiar with the CIAA, investigators are examining suspected irregularities in a procurement contract associated with the passport system. Aryal was detained as investigators expanded their inquiry into the case.

The CIAA has not yet publicly disclosed further details of the allegations or the specific procurement under scrutiny. Further updates are awaited as the investigation continues.