The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has arrested Pushparaj Bhattarai, a Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, over allegations of illegally issuing travel documents to Tibetan refugees using forged documents.

Bhattarai was arrested on Monday from Kageshwori Manohara Municipality following an arrest warrant issued by the Kathmandu District Court.

According to investigators, he has been charged under passport-related offenses for allegedly issuing travel documents to five Tibetan refugees based on fake documentation. Although the alleged incident dates back to 2011 (2068 BS), the case was formally registered in Chaitra 2082 BS.

Last Monday, the Kathmandu District Government Attorney's Office filed the passport offense case at the Kathmandu District Court. Bhattarai was absent during the filing of the case, prompting the court to issue an arrest warrant.

Acting on that warrant, the CIB took him into custody. CIB Chief AIG Uma Chaturvedi stated that Bhattarai will be presented before the Kathmandu District Court for further legal proceedings.