Special Court Orders Release on Bail for Two Land Commission Members Accused of Corruption in Kaski

Kathmandu. The Special Court has ordered the release on bail of two members of the Kaski Land Commission who were accused of corruption for registering public government land in private names.

On Monday, the bench comprising Special Court Chairman Sudarshan Dev Bhatta and Judges Dilliratan Shrestha and Umesh Koirala ordered the release of Land Commission members Uma Kumari Thapa and Som Bahadur Nepali on a bail of NPR 1 lakh each.

Uma Kumari Thapa and Som Bahadur Nepali were accused of illegally registering government public land in private names by misusing their positions through mutual collusion and planning. They had registered 3 ropani 3 aana of government land, Plot Number 725, located in the former Kanhanidanda Village Development Committee Ward No. 4, in the name of non-squatter Bhim Bahadur B.K. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a corruption case, alleging a loss of NPR 14,025,000 to the Government of Nepal.

During their statements, the defendants denied the charges, claiming they acted procedurally without any malicious intent. After hearing arguments from both sides and studying the evidence attached to the case file, the court determined that, based on the evidence immediately available, it was unnecessary to keep them in custody during the trial.