KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba on Wednesday issued a press release denying his involvement in leasing out the land of Nepal Trust to Yeti Holdings. Deuba stated that his government was not involved in leasing out Nepal Trust’s land to anybody and as Nepal Trust was an autonomous body, it was solely responsible for its decisions.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ishwar Pokharel had issued white paper yesterday saying some of the decisions taken by the Nepal Trust to lease its land were taken during Deuba’s premiership. The white paper was issued after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was accused of leasing out Nepal Trust’s land to Yeti Holdings at favourable rate.

Deuba said attempt to link him in the Nepal Trust land lease scam was aimed at diverting people’s attention from Gokul Bahadur Baskota audiotape and Gokarna Forest Resort land lease scandals.