Did the Deputy Speaker Scheme to Take Five Individuals to the U.S. in Exchange for Cash?

Kathmandu- Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar has been revealed to have sent a letter to the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu requesting visas for five individuals to attend a program in the United States. 

Deputy Speaker Rana had sent this letter using the letterhead of the House of Representatives’ Deputy Speaker to the Consular General of the U.S. Embassy, seeking visas for five individuals to accompany her to the CSW-67 forum organized by an NGO in New York from March 6 to 17, 2023.

In her capacity as Deputy Speaker, she had written to the embassy to provide visas for Upendra Gautam, Sushma Lama, Rajesh Lama Tamang, Sujan Gharti Magar, and Dhan Prasad Gurung for participation in the program.

However, none of the individuals she intended to take were granted visas by the United States.

According to a victim’s claim, some individuals, citing Deputy Speaker Rana’s name, had taken an advance of 1 million rupees per person from the five individuals, totaling 5 million rupees, promising to take them to the program in the U.S. It was agreed that the remaining amount would be settled once the visas were obtained.

Deputy Speaker Magar had submitted this request to the embassy on February 26, 2023, corresponding to Falgun 14, 2079 in the Nepali calendar.

Despite the embassy’s denial of visas to the five individuals she recommended, Deputy Speaker Magar herself departed for the U.S. on Falgun 26 via a Qatar Airways flight through Doha to participate in the program. She returned to Nepal after a week-long visit.

Rana Magar, hailing from Shanischare in Jhapa, was elected Deputy Speaker through the proportional representation system from the Rastriya Swatantra Party.

Attempts to reach Deputy Speaker Rana Magar for her response were unsuccessful as she did not answer the phone. A message sent to her also remained unanswered.

After obtaining a letter from Deputy Speaker Rana recommending visas for five individuals to the U.S. Embassy, Farakdhar contacted her for clarification.

They questioned Deputy Speaker Rana about the reality behind her letter to the U.S. Embassy, requesting visas for five individuals to attend an NGO forum program, and why they were denied visas.

In response, she stated that she has been traveling to the U.S. since 2007 and has never recommended anyone for a visa. She implied that those making such claims are baseless.

"I have been traveling to the U.S. since 2007. I have never recommended anyone for a visa. If someone wants to follow me without any reason, I have nothing to say," Deputy Speaker Rana responded.

Rana Magar, hailing from Shanischare in Jhapa, was elected Deputy Speaker through the proportional representation system from the Rastriya Swatantra Party.