Hearing Scheduled in Land Irregularity Case Involving Former PM Madhav Kumar Nepal and Patanjali Yogpeeth

Kathmandu. A hearing has been scheduled for Sunday in the corruption case involving CPN Co-Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal regarding the land misappropriation case involving Patanjali Yogpeeth and an Ayurvedic company in Nepal. The hearing is scheduled before the bench of Special Court judges Narayan Prasad Paudel and Dilliratna Shrestha.

Previously, the bench of Special Court Chairman Sudarshan Dev Bhatta and Judge Hemanta Rawal had ordered the summoning of the file related to the decision by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to keep the investigation against Madhav Nepal and others on hold. The hearing for Sunday was set after the file containing the CIAA's decision to keep Nepal's case investigation on hold was received.

The CIAA filed a case against 93 defendants, including Nepal, in the Special Court on Jestha 22, concerning the Patanjali land case. The CIAA has sought a fine and penalty amounting to NPR 185.85 million against Nepal.

The CIAA has accused Nepal, in his capacity as the then Prime Minister, of abusing his position to transfer public government property for personal and institutional interests and engaging in corrupt activities.

The charge sheet claims that the cabinet led by Nepal, through a meeting on Falgun 6, 2066 BS, approved the transaction of land exceeding the ceiling limit for Patanjali. It is alleged in the charge sheet that Nepal, through a direct order on Magh 18, 2066 BS, facilitated the sale and exchange of land exceeding the ceiling limit for Patanjali.

A case was filed against 93 individuals for illegally selling and misappropriating 314 ropanis, 15 aana, 2 paisa, 1 dam of land, with the CIAA seeking a total claim of NPR 185.85 million.