Court Orders Witness Examination in Corruption Case Involving Former PM Madhav Kumar Nepal Over Patanjali Land Irregularities

Kathmandu. An order has been issued to examine witnesses 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 bench comprising Special Court judges Narayan Prasad Poudel and Dilliratna Shrestha issued the order to examine witnesses. 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 investigate and keep the case against Madhav Nepal and others on hold (tameeli).

With the file regarding the CIAA's decision to investigate and keep Nepal's case on hold arriving, the case was scheduled for Sunday. The CIAA had filed a case against 93 individuals, including Nepal, in the Special Court on Jestha 22, alleging irregularities in the Patanjali land case. The CIAA has sought a fine and penalty of NPR 185.85 million against Nepal.

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

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