Kathmandu, June 22 -- The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Sunday filed a corruption case at the Special Court against 18 defendants, including the director general of the Department of Passports, government officials and two foreign companies, over alleged irregularities in the procurement of e-passports worth Rs10.13 billion.

Security was tightened around the Special Court premises as the anti-graft body submitted the case.

According to Parvati Hitan, information officer at the Special Court, the CIAA has sought recovery of Rs10.13 billion.

The defendants include 16 individuals and two foreign companies. Among them are 10 government officials led by Tirtha Raj Aryal, director general of the Department ...