Special Court Schedules Hearing for Former PM Madhav Kumar Nepal in Patanjali Land Case

Kathmandu. A hearing has been scheduled for the corruption case involving the misappropriation of land belonging to Patanjali Yogpeeth and Ayurveda Company Nepal, which includes former Prime Minister and NCP co-coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal. This case is currently in the final hearing stage at the Special Court.

The hearing has been assigned to a bench comprising Special Court judges Narayan Prasad Poudel, Dilli Ratna Shrestha, and Umesh Koirala. Previously, an order was issued to submit debate notes for this case.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed the case in the Special Court on Jestha 22, naming 93 individuals, including Nepal, as defendants in the Patanjali land scandal.

The CIAA has demanded a fine of 185.85 million rupees and imprisonment for Nepal. The commission alleges that, in his capacity as the then Prime Minister, Nepal abused his authority to transfer public government property for personal and institutional interests and was involved in corrupt activities.

The then Council of Ministers led by Nepal had granted approval for Patanjali to trade land exceeding the legal ceiling during a meeting on 2066 Falgun 6. The charge sheet claims that Nepal, through a direct order on 2066 Magh 18, facilitated the sale and exchange of land for Patanjali beyond the legal limit.

The case was filed against 93 individuals for the illegal sale and misappropriation of 314 ropanis, 15 aanas, 2 paisas, and 1 daam of land, with the CIAA seeking a recovery of 185.85 million rupees.