Special Court Orders Submission of Debate Notes in Patanjali Land Case Involving Madhav Kumar Nepal

Kathmandu. The Special Court has ordered the submission of debate notes in the corruption case involving the misappropriation of land belonging to Patanjali Yogpeeth and Ayurveda Company Nepal, which includes former Prime Minister and co-coordinator of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), Madhav Kumar Nepal. This case is currently in the final hearing stage at the Special Court.

On Wednesday, a bench consisting of Special Court judges Narayan Prasad Paudel, Dilli Ratna Shrestha, and Umesh Koirala ordered the defense attorneys of the accused to submit their debate notes. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed the case in the Special Court on Jestha 22, naming 93 individuals, including Nepal, as defendants in the Patanjali land case.

The CIAA has demanded a fine and penalty of 185.85 million rupees against Nepal. The authority has accused Nepal of abusing his position as the then-Prime Minister to transfer government and public property for personal and institutional interests, and of being 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 exceeding the legal limit for Patanjali.

A 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 demanding a recovery of 185.85 million rupees.