Ongoing Rent Dispute at Military Welfare Building in Kathmandu

A long-standing rent dispute persists at the Military Welfare Building located in Mahankal, New Baneshwor, Kathmandu. The conflict began after the Army Welfare Fund terminated its contract agreement with Jayanti Construction Service in Assoj 2079 BS. The STC Wholesale Market operates in this building, which is owned by the army.

Citing non-compliance with the terms of the lease agreement made with Jayanti Construction Service Pvt. Ltd., Sanskar Narayan Bhari filed a writ petition at the Kathmandu District Court. Hearing the writ, Judge Tek Bahadur Karki issued an interim order restraining both the Army Welfare Fund and Jayanti Construction Service Pvt. Ltd. from undertaking any actions contrary to the contract agreement. The lease agreement between Jayanti and the petitioner was signed in Chaitra 2078 BS.

While the interim order remains in effect, traders have accused the building management committee's accountant, Naniram Thapa, and former colonels Sunil Bista and Krishnadev Bhatta of pressuring them to vacate the building. One trader from the STC Market stated, 'Naniram Thapa and other former army officers are pressuring us to leave the building.'

The former army officers are affiliated with the building management committee. The Military Welfare Building Management Committee, breaking the old agreement which was for leasing the building for 14 years, called for sealed bids for a new agreement on Mangsir 26.

Challenging that decision, another businessman, Asmilal Bhattarai, filed a case at the Kathmandu District Court. The court has summoned both parties for a hearing on whether to issue an interim order on Magh 22.

Army Spokesperson (Brigadier General) Rajaram Basnet stated that responsible officials of the Welfare Fund have not unduly pressured the traders. He said, 'No actions contrary to the court's order have been taken.'