KATHMANDU: Former DSP Govinda Panthi has made explosive revelations about intense political and bureaucratic pressure, threats, and forced transfers he faced during an investigation into human trafficking, forged documents, and illegal transactions under the guise of “visit visas” at Tribhuvan International Airport.
In a detailed social media post on Friday, Panthi disclosed that powerful human trafficking networks — including agents, travel agencies, consultancies, manpower companies, and even government officials — were involved in systematic exploitation through Tribhuvan International Airport.
Panthi revealed that an initial investigation into 1,641 suspicious passports was launched by the Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau, but the case was later handed over to the Airport Security Office.
At the time, he was leading the foreign employment fraud unit and was directed by SSP Somendra Singh Rathore to lead the probe due to lack of progress.
According to Panthi, the investigation confirmed the involvement of fake documentation rings and collusion among travel agents, hotel operators, airlines, immigration officers, labor department staff, and even some police officials.
His team arrested 37 people, including 20 agents, representatives of 20 travel agencies, and eight consultancies. They were charged under human trafficking, forgery, and organized crime statutes.
Panthi claimed that he had to push hard with government lawyers to pursue the case under organized crime laws and even received threats of being reported to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
He also alleged that his transfer was the result of direct interference from political and police leadership, including then-Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha and former IGP Basanta Kunwar. Panthi said that while current IGP Deepak Thapa attempted to stop his transfer, he was unable to withstand political pressure.
He also recalled that during the investigation, immigration officials at the airport admitted to receiving up to Rs 20 million daily for facilitating human trafficking. Panthi has implicated high-level officials from the Home Ministry in the scandal.
After his transfer, Panthi said he wrote to current Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, informing him of the circumstances. Although his transfer was not officially canceled, he was verbally instructed to continue working in his previous position, avoiding a formal reassignment.
Panthi has called for the formation of a powerful judicial commission to conduct a fair and thorough investigation into the scandal.
“If this issue is thoroughly investigated, individuals from the offices of labor ministers, home ministers, and even the prime minister’s secretariat could be held legally accountable,” he said.
He added that the CIAA, under Chief Prem Kumar Rai, has an “historic opportunity” to conduct an impartial investigation and regain public trust.
Panthi’s allegations shine a harsh spotlight on corruption, political interference, and systemic exploitation at Nepal’s primary international gateway — raising serious questions about accountability and governance.
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