Lekhak orders probe into individuals who traveled with PM to Spain

KATHMANDU: Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak has ordered an impartial investigation into individuals who left for Spain to participate in a United Nations meeting attended by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Minister Lekhak on Monday instructed Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi and Inspector General of Nepal Police, Deepak Thapa, to look into the matter. “Who else travelled to Spain apart from members of the Prime Minister’s official delegation? Through what procedure and which organization arranged their visits? I have directed a thorough investigation into the issue,” Lekhak said.

He added that the inquiry would also cover who arranged the visit visas and other related matters.

Nepal Police is expected to mobilize its specialized agencies, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau, for a detailed probe.

“Those found guilty will face action,” Lekhak said.

Prime Minister Oli travelled to Seville, Spain, on June 28 to participate in the 4th International Conference on Financing for  Development. The Nepali delegation returned home on July 4.

Opposition lawmakers said in the meeting of the House of Representatives that a few participants of the conference have not returned.

Some media outlets later reported that a few participants, who were not part of the Prime Minister’s official delegation, had not returned.