Kathmandu — A corruption case related to land transactions involving Patanjali Yogpeeth and Ayurveda Company Nepal is scheduled for hearing on Sunday, with former prime minister and CPN (Unified Socialist) co-chair Madhav Kumar Nepal among the accused.
The case will be heard at the Special Court by a bench comprising Justices Narayan Prasad Paudel and Dilli Ratna Shrestha. Earlier, a joint bench led by Special Court Chair Sudarsan Dev Bhatt and Justice Hemant Rawal directed the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority to submit files related to its decision to suspend the investigation against Nepal and others. After the Commission submitted the requested documents, the court scheduled the case for hearing on Sunday.
Allegations Linked to Patanjali Land Transactions
The anti-graft agency filed the case at the Special Court on Jestha 22, naming 93 individuals, including Nepal, as defendants in connection with the Patanjali land transaction. The Commission has sought recovery of NPR 185.85 million from Nepal, along with fines and punishment.
According to the charge sheet, Nepal allegedly abused his authority while serving as prime minister by facilitating the transfer of state-owned public land for personal and institutional interests and by engaging in corruption-related acts.
The Commission alleges that a Cabinet meeting chaired by Nepal on Falgun 6, 2066 approved Patanjali to conduct land transactions exceeding the legally permitted landholding ceiling. It further claims that on Magh 18, 2066, Nepal issued a direct order allowing Patanjali to sell and exchange land beyond the statutory limit.
The case involves the alleged illegal sale and misappropriation of 314 ropani, 15 aana, 2 paisa, and 1 daam of land. The Commission has charged all 93 defendants with corruption and has sought recovery of NPR 185.85 million as the amount of financial loss.
