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Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has reiterated that Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipulek are the parts of Nepali territory and neighboring countries should not be dismayed when Nepal asserts its rightful claim over these lands.

Speaking at a press meet organized by the Nepal Press Union, Parsa chapter today, the Home Minister said that it was true that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli raised concerns regarding the India-Nepal agreement on developing Lipulek as a bilateral trade point.

Minister Lekhak stated that “We are clear and firm that these territories belong to Nepal.”

During his visit to China, the Prime Minister had objected to the India-China bilateral agreement. "No part of Nepali territory will be allowed to be used against the interests of the nation," the Minister said.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has directed the bodies concerned to work together in order to stop illegal import and export taking place in check points.  

During the meeting of Revenue Leakage Control Coordination Committee organised at the District Administration Office, Parsa, today, he urged all bodies concerned including local administration, customs offices, and the three security bodies to coordinate and cooperate to stop smuggling.

"I request all the bodies concerned to move ahead making coordination among each other to control revenue leakage as well as to take necessary initiatives to control other criminal activities taking place in border areas," mentioned Home Minister Lekhak. 

Similarly, Chief Customs Administrator of Birgunj Customs Office, Bishnu Prasad Gyawali shared that revenue collection of Birgunj Customs Office had increased in the last fiscal year as compared to previous fiscal year. 

He expected that the Office would be able to collect the revenue as per its target in the current fiscal year, stating that it was necessary that all bodies concerned should join hands to control smuggling.  

Likewise, Chief of Revenue Investigation Office, Pathalaiya, Hari Prasad Sharma, and Madhes Province’s Nepal Police chief among others also expressed their views. 

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has directed the employees of subordinate bodies to serve the national interests and ensure an accessible atmosphere to the public for getting government services.

Speaking at the signing of a work performance agreement with the Home Secretary and the heads of various departments and divisions of the Ministry today, Minister Lekhak acknowledged that there have been major accomplishments in curbing drug abuse, road accidents, suicides, and cybercrime adding that tangible outcomes will require more time.

Highlighting drug abuse, road fatalities, cybercrime, and suicide as the pressing challenges of the time, the Minister echoed the need for measurable results within the current fiscal year. 

He also instructed that the post-earthquake reconstruction efforts in the western Nepal be completed within the fiscal year. 

The Minister extended his congratulations and appreciation to all those who contributed to the Home Ministry's 88 percent progress achieved in the last fiscal year. He added that success and failure are shared responsibilities in a team work.

Minister Lekhak said that progress on the bills related to the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force has been delayed due to some technical issues. 

He urged the stakeholders to work assiduously to ensure these bills are registered in the House of Representatives within this month. "Policy and legal reforms remain our top priority, and works are progressing accordingly,” the Home Minister affirmed.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said that the Bill to amend the Citizenship Act-2063 BS (2006) aims to recognize the mother as the primary patron of a child, granting her the right to solely declare and assume responsibility for the child.

Responding to concerns raised during the theoretical discussions on the Nepal Citizenship Bill-2081 BS at the Legislation Management Committee under the National Assembly today, the minister said, "The objective of the Bill is to ensure the mother’s full rights to pass on citizenship to her child, provided she declares that the child's father cannot be presented."

He added that the provision does not seek to grant rights exclusively to mothers. "If the mother's declaration is found to be false, the Bill includes provisions for legal inquiry and penalty as well," he clarified.

The minister highlighted that, due to the absence of citizenship, many children are facing serious challenges in their education and career development.

Regarding naturalized Nepali citizenship, the Bill has sought the mother's declaration that her child has not acquired citizenship of a foreign country based on the father’s nationality. Under the current law, only the individual applying for naturalized citizenship is required to make such a declaration.

In regard with the naturalised citizenship, the existing provision is that "A child born to a Nepali female citizen through marriage with a foreign citizen, residing permanently in Nepal, may be granted naturalized citizenship as prescribed, provided the child has not acquired foreign citizenship through the father."

The Bill has also proposed that a child is eligible for obtaining citizenship in the mother’s name if the father is dead or not supporting the child in acquiring citizenship, or is married to another person. "We have simplified the procedures for transferring citizenship in the mother's name," Minister Lekhak said.

He also reminded the committee of the Supreme Court's directive to the government regarding the issuance of citizenship in the mother’s name.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is preparing to airlift a critically injured inmate to Kathmandu for further treatment from Kailali.

The Ministry has stated that it has taken the incident seriously and has further tightened the security situation in the Kailali Prison.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak took stock of the incident from the Home Secretary and the heads of the three security bodies regarding the overall situation of the Kailai Prison today.

Following the appraisal, the Ministry decided to airlift the injured one who is receiving treatment at Seti Provincial Hospital to Kathmandu via the Nepali Army helicopter.

“The Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force will strengthen security provisions to ensure full security of the jail and to prevent any further untoward incidents,” Home Ministry Spokesperson Ananda Kafle said.

A sky truck of the Nepali Army has already been sent to Dhangadhi to airlift the one who is critically injured in the clash, Kafle stated.

An inmate died and 44 other prisoners were injured in the clash that erupted between inmates residing in Block 'A' and Block 'B' of the jail on Friday night.

It is said that a large number of police personnel have been deployed to normalize the situation arising from a clash between inmates at Kailali Jail in Dhangadhi.

Currently, there are altogether 680 inmates in Kailali Prison despite its capacity to house just 100. (RSS)

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said facilities from the local levels will be denied to those compelling menstruating women to isolate and stay in a hut. 

He said that circulars towards that end will be issued for local levels across the country.

During his meeting with office-bearers of the Inter Party Women's Alliance today, the Home Minister said the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration will be requested for issuing the circular. 

"Superstition has a great role in the menstrual discriminations," he said, seeking the support and advice from the Alliance towards the elimination of such discriminations.    

The Minister reiterated that the government is serious about the existence of violence against women including sexual assaults. "The government is serious about the need to work towards the dignity, pride, prestige and security of women," he said, pledging that those responsible for the violence against women will be brought to justice. 

During the meeting Alliance President Mamata Giri submitted a memorandum to the Minister, demanding an end to all sorts of discrimination against women. They expressed their grave concerns over increasing case of violence and discrimination against women.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has directed the concerned authorities to investigate the people who travelled to Spain with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

On Sunday, the Home Minister directed Home Secretary Gokarnamani Duwadi and Inspector General of Police Deepak Thapa to determine whether the people except those in the official delegation had travelled to Spain during the Prime Minister's recent visit to Spain.

“They have been instructed to investigate whether anyone travelled to Spain on a visit visa apart from the official delegation,” the Home Minister said.

“The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau of Nepal Police will be deployed to carry out the investigation. If anyone is found guilty, legal action will be taken in accordance with the law,” he said.

It may be noted that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had travelled to Spain on June 28 in the course of attending the Fourth United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD-4) in Spain held from June 30 to July 3.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said that the Nepal Army (NA) has been assigned to construct a barrage on the Mahakali River before the monsoon reaches its peak.

The project aims to protect nearby settlements from potential flood-related disasters, he added.

During the inspection today of the under-construction barrage at Bhimdatta Municipality-12 in Kanchanpur, the Home Minister stated that the government entrusted the army with this task through a special decision, seeking a long-term solution to the recurring flood issues that have plagued the area for years.

He also pledged sufficient budget allocation for the project.

Last year, floods from the Mahakali River damaged a 260-meter section of the barrage, diverting water into residential areas and posing a serious threat to settlements in Bhimdatta and Dodhara Chandani municipalities.

The Minister instructed the team involved in the restoration work to complete the project on time with guarantee of standards.

The CPN (Maoist Center) has urged Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to resign from his post to allow for an 'impartial' investigation into the visit visa scandal.

During a National Assembly meeting today, Suresh Ale Magar of the Maoist Center demanded time to argue that a fair investigation into the scam would be unlikely as long as the Home Minister remains in office, given that employees of the Home Ministry have been implicated in the scandal.

“We believe the Home Minister is not personally responsible for any wrongdoing, but he should step down on moral grounds to facilitate investigation, making it uninfluenced,” he said. 

Ale Magar also questioned why an employee previously accused in various scams was assigned responsibility for immigration.

Speaking during the zero hour, Krishna Prasad Paudel raised concerns over the rising COVID-19 cases in India, stressing the need to enhance surveillance and testing along the Nepal-India border.

Goma Devi Timilsina urged the government to prioritize launching public awareness campaigns about COVID-19.

Sonam Gyaljen Sherpa called for prompt relief efforts for those displaced by natural disasters in Thame, Solukhumbu district.

Likewise,  Jagat Bahadur Parki, Nara Bahadur Bista, Narayan Dutta Mishra, Bhuwan Bahadur Sunar, Madan Kumari Shah (Garima), Yubaraj Sharma, and Rajendra Laxmi Gaire highlighted various other contemporary issues, drawing the government attention.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak is under pressure from opposition parties to resign, taking moral responsibility for last week’s reported visit visa scam. Though no concrete evidence of Lekhak’s involvement has emerged, opposition parties are demanding his resignation and the formation of a high-level judicial commission to investigate the issue.

Opposition parties, particularly the CPN (Maoist Center), Rastriya Swatantra Party, and CPN (Unified Socialist), obstructed Parliament on Tuesday and Wednesday over the matter. Within his party, the Nepali Congress (NC), Lekhak is known as a politician with a clean image and integrity, having played a pivotal role in Nepal’s peace and constitution-drafting process. A key architect of the current NC-UML coalition, Lekhak is a close confidant of NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba. The NC insists he should be allowed to speak in Parliament to clarify the accusations, but opposition parties remain adamant about his resignation.

The parliamentary obstruction comes at a critical time—the government is set to present its budget on May 29, the constitutionally mandated deadline. Opposition parties have hinted they may allow the budget presentation, acknowledging that failure to do so could trigger a constitutional crisis.

Lekhak faces pressure not only from opposition parties but also from within his own party. Senior NC leader Shekhar Koirala publicly suggested he resign to facilitate an independent probe into the scam. On Wednesday, NC General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa stated that the home minister should step down, calling it a “political and moral issue.” Despite internal dissent, the NC’s official stance is that Lekhak will not resign, nor will a judicial commission be formed. NC Chief Whip Shyam Ghimire said that since only some officials have been implicated so far, seeking home minister’s resignation is unjustified.

On May 21, Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, chief of the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Immigration Office, was interrogated by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) for allegedly facilitating illegal foreign travel on visit visas. Officials describe the scam as potentially involving billions, with suspicions of senior home ministry officials’ involvement. Bhattarai’s abrupt transfer from the airport to the home ministry—followed by his arrest the next day—has raised questions. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the NC continue to support Lekhak, citing a lack of direct evidence linking him to the case. However, prolonged parliamentary disruption could intensify pressure for his resignation.

The Home Ministry’s reputation has suffered in recent years due to successive corruption scandals. Former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand faces charges in the fake Bhutanese refugee scandal, alongside the home secretary and other high-level officials. Former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane is also embroiled in cases involving cooperative fraud and passport misuse. After being denied the chance to speak in Parliament, Lekhak held a press conference to defend his position on Wednesday.

"It is unjust to drag leadership into controversy before the CIAA completes its investigation," he said. "I will not resign based on media and social media reports. No complaints have been filed against me. I deserve justice like any ordinary citizen." He also argued that past investigations into senior Home Ministry officials and the chief secretary did not prompt calls for political leadership to step down. Lekhak assured the Home Ministry would fully cooperate with the CIAA’s probe.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has claimed that he has no involvement in the visit visa scandal.

Organising a press conference at Lhotse Hall of the Federal Parliament building on Wednesday, he said that the allegations of his involvement in the visit visa scam were false.

“The allegations levelled against me are completely baseless. I have no involvement in this. I have been attacked in a premeditated way. This attack is driven by political bias,” the Home Minister said.

Saying that his political and personal life is public, he said that everyone is watching him publicly.

Home Minister Lekhak organised a press conference to make his opinion public after the opposition parties prevented him from speaking in the Parliament.

Earlier, the Parliament meeting held today was postponed following the obstruction from the opposition parties.

The opposition parties have been obstructing the Parliament for the past few days demanding resignation of Home Minister Lekhak.

Opposition parties including the CPN (Maoist Centre) concluded that Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak should step down from the post for his alleged involvement in the 'visit visa' scam. 

A meeting of the opposition parties held at the Federal Parliament Building in New Baneshwor today accused the Home Minister of being responsible for the irregularities.  

Aam Janata Party Chair Prabhu Sah, who was also present in the meeting, said that the House proceedings will be halted until the Home Minister resigns. 

Meanwhile, Maoist Centre Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal  and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held a telephonic conversation amidst the meeting. 

Opposition parties on Tuesday obstructed the Parliament meeting demanding resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

Soon after Speaker Devaraj Ghimire commenced today’s session of the House of Representatives, lawmakers from the opposition parties stood up in protest, prompting the Speaker to give time to CPN (Maoist Centre) lawmaker Barshaman Pun to speak.

Lawmaker Pun called attention to the fact that the media have reported this week about corruption in the 'visit visa' process at Tribhuvan International Airport, stating as per the reports ordinary citizens who go abroad for work are being charged between Rs 5 million to 30 million.

The main opposition demanded that an investigation should be conducted into the allegation that the Home Minister himself sent the main accused, Joint Secretary Tirtharaj Bhattarai, at the TIA.

"Since the Home Minister's Secretariat is involved in this and as all the investigating bodies are under the Home Ministry, the Home Minister should resign to facilitate the investigation. He must resign, and the parliamentary proceedings will not be allowed to proceed ahead until the Home Minister resigns," said MP Pun.

Immediately after the commencement of today's meeting, opposition parties including the CPN (Maoist Centre), Rastriya Swatantra Party, and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) obstructed the house demanding the resignation of the Home Minister.

After the obstruction, Speaker Ghimire adjourned the meeting for half an hour.

Prior to this, the Speaker had allocated time for the Chief Whip of the Nepali Congress Shyam Ghimire to speak on behalf of the ruling party.

The lawmakers of Rastriya Swatantra Party had chanted slogans to prevent the ruling party lawmaker Ghimire from speaking.

Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Shishir Khanal demanded the formation of a high-level investigation commission to investigate the involvement of Home Minister Lekhak in the 'Visit Visa' scam.

He mentioned that the opposition would not allow the House to go ahead with its proceedings until a high-level investigation commission is formed in connection with the 'organized corruption' in that matter.

"At Tribhuvan International Airport, a racket is being run under the guise of visit visas, looting innocent youths and collecting millions illegally. The joint secretary sent by the Home Minister to the TIA seems to have a controversial background. But why was he sent to TIA immigration? The Home Minister has his own interests," lawmaker Khanal charged.

Nepali Congress (NC) has denied any involvement of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak in the visit visa scandal.

A meeting of both former and current office bearers of the party held at the private residence of Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba in Budhanilkantha today concluded that Minister Lekhak, who represents the party in the NC-UML coalition government, had no role in the scandal.

During the meeting, the Minister presented a detailed statement regarding his alleged involvement in the scam, according to NC Spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat. After reviewing his clarification, the party leadership decided there was no evidence linking him to the scandal.

The meeting also called for an impartial investigation into the matter, urging that those found responsible be brought to justice.

It is worth noting that on May 21, Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, the Chief of the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Immigration Office, was interrogated by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) for allegedly facilitating illegal foreign travel of Nepali nationals on visit visas.

It was later discovered that he had been in regular contact with officials in the Ministry, raising suspicions about the Minister's involvement in the scandal.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has instructed the security agencies in the Madesh Province to adopt draconian measures to control criminal activities and smuggling in the bordering areas between Nepal and India in the Province.

Minister Lekhak directed this while inaugurating the provincial level security seminar organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs and departmental ministry of the Madhesh Province in Janakpur today.

Furthermore, Lekhak urged the concerned authority to maintain a high-level caution for security concerns, he added, saying all eight districts of the province share open borders with India.

He emphasized the need for the security agencies to discharge their duties with honesty in the changing context of the world.

The Home Minister asked the civil employees in the province to be honest and unbiased and deliver public services in an easy manner and promptly.

Minister Lekhak expressed his concern over the increasing cases of drug abuse, road accident, suicides and cybercrimes in the recent times.

Likewise, Madhesh Province's Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh drew the attention of the Home Minister, stating that maintaining peace and order in the province was becoming challenging in absence of adjustment of police personnel in the province.

He said the province government had been extending utmost support to the security agencies in the province despite its limited means and resources.

On the occasion, he urged the concerned authority to take forward the adjustment process in the police organization.

Similarly, Province's Minister for Home Affairs, Communications and Law Raj Kumar Lekhi appealed to the security agencies to remain vigilant and aware towards the prospects of heightened security challenges that arise in the bordering areas due to the conflict and tensions between the neighboring countries.

Chiefs of the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force Nepal and National Investigation Department in the province as well as the Chief District Officers of all eight districts in the province were present in the program.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said the religion should not be used to address political interests. 

At a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, the Minister said any incidence of violence should not be covered up and excused in the name of religion.

"I do not mean to say that one religion is best and another is not. I do clearly mean that the Tinkune violent incident and the arson that took place on March 8 should not be judged from linking those incidents with any religion or religious faith," he said, adding that "The Hindu faith believes in non-violence, peace and fraternity which were not reflected during the Tinkune demonstrations."  

The advocacy for monarchy made during the Tinkune demonstration is against Nepal's constitution, the Home Minister said adding that such a move can't be judged as an appropriate one under any pretexts. 

According to him, the necessary investigations and prosecutions against those responsible for the violence in Tinkune are currently underway. He stated, "Anyone found guilty during the investigation will be brought to justice." Regarding the violent demonstrations carried out by pro-monarchist forces in Tinkune, he said he has already informed the respected State Affairs Committee of Parliament.

According to him, photojournalist Suresh Rajak from Avenues Television was killed in a fire set in a private house in Tinkune, while another individual, Sabin Maharjan, succumbed to bullet wounds during the efforts to control the demonstration.

"The government is clear that the organisers of the demonstrations should take responsibility for the arson at a herbal medicine manufacturing company. Investigations are going on to determine the details of the damages caused during the Tinkune demonstrations," he said.

Of the injured during the demonstration, three individuals are currently receiving treatment, while the others have already returned home after recovering. The government has guaranteed free treatment for those injured, he added.

In response to a question regarding the delay in implementing the Supreme Court's verdict on the Giribandhu Tea Estate, the Minister explained that since the Ministry is not a defendant in the case, it is not in a position to receive information or engage in correspondence regarding the implementation of the verdict.

"I would like to request that the relevant ministries and bodies take action regarding the implementation of the verdict issued by the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench on 2080-10-24 BS (February 7, 2024)," he stated.

Minister Lekhak further said the Ministry of Home Affairs is fully prepared to implement the Constitution of Nepal, the laws of Nepal, and the decisions and verdicts of the respected courts, ensuring the protection and promotion of government and public property.