Special Court Schedules Hearing for Corruption Case Involving Former PM Madhav Kumar Nepal Over Patanjali Land Irregularities

Kathmandu. A hearing date has been set at the Special Court for the corruption case involving former Prime Minister and CPN Co-coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal regarding the land misappropriation case involving Patanjali Yogpeeth and an Ayurvedic company in Nepal. The case is scheduled to be heard by a bench comprising Justices Narayan Prasad Paudel and Umesh Koirala.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed the case against Nepal and 92 others in the Special Court on Jestha 22, concerning the Patanjali land scandal. The CIAA has sought a penalty and fine 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 then Council of Ministers 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 issued a direct order on Magh 18, 2066 BS, enabling Patanjali to sell and exchange land beyond the prescribed limit.

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 in damages.