PAC directs CIAA to investigate misuse of diplomatic passports by CA members

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the legislature parliament on
Friday directed the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority
(CIAA) to start an investigation into the misuse of diplomatic passports
by Constituent Assembly (CA) members.

The parliamentary committee gave this instruction to CIAA secretaries
Bhagawati Prasad Kafle and Ram Kumar Acharya in a meeting held at Singha
Durbar today morning.

PAC said that since the issue concerns country's lawmakers, CIAA should
carry out the investigation by giving it top priority.

Kafle and Acharya were directed to immediately start investigation on the
case and report back on the progress.

During the meeting, Kafle informed that CIAA has received around 15
complaints about the misuse of diplomatic passports by CA members.

He said investigation on diplomatic passport misuse by two -
CA members Gyatri Shah of Nepali Janata Dal and B.P Yadav of Madhesi
Janadhikar Forum - has reached its final stage.

Members of PAC also urged CIAA to broaden the purview of its
investigation, stating that the misuse of diplomatic passports is not
possible without the involvement of foreign ministry officials,
immigration department and the police.

CIAA secretary Kafle also informed that investigation by his office on the
misuse of government vehicles and personal security guards provided to
ministers and top government officials has reached a final stage and that
CIAA will soon submit its report on it.