KATHMANDU, MARCH 21
The statements of Nepali Congress, Lawmaker and renowned industrialist Binod Chaudhary was recorded today in relation to the Bansbari Leather Shoe Factory (BSLF) land grab case. However, officials have stated that reaching a decision on whether or not to prosecute them will take more time.
Shyam Lal Gyawali, Additional Inspector General of Police and CIB chief, told THT that "Binod Chaudhary's statement has been recorded under the direction of the Central Investigation Bureau by the District Government Attorney's Office, Kathmandu. However, it will take more time to reach a concrete decision as we need to take explanations and statements from others too."
Similarly, a high official source from the District Attorney's office, confirmed that Binod Chaudhary's statement had been recorded. It began before office and ended in the afternoon. But the office needs some more time to reach any conclusion.
On the other hand, Lawmaker Binod Chaudhary, who is also the founder of CG Company, expressing sadness over politicising him, said that he does not need to furnish his character certificate to people who are here for just political stunts.
On Thursday, after recording his statement to the District Government Attorney's office, Kathmandu and in the presence of a Central Investigation Bureau official, interacting with the mediapesrons Chaudhary said, "My career of over four decades of is a solid example of my character; therefore, I do not need to display my character certificate to people performing political stunts here."
He also asserted that, particularly when country's economy is in dire economic circumstances, one must realize what sort of message it would deliver by compelling reputed business personalities to bring in such situations.
"Country must have in mind prior to outputting people such as me in this kind of position and what kind message it would deliver to entrepreneurs, youths, industrialists and taxpayers all over the world," he said.
He also claimed that he was being politicized unnecessarily for setting an excellent example of public-private partnership. It appears to be more of a personal vendetta and an orchestrated political stunt than anything else. "However, as a responsible citizen, politician, and entrepreneur, I came here to assist with the investigation," he explained.
On Wednesday, the CIB had written to Speaker Devraj Ghimire to inform him of an ongoing investigation into Lower House member Binod Chaudhary in connection with a land scam involving the Bansbari Leather Shoe Factory (BSLF).
CIB Superintendent of Police and Spokesperson Hobindra Bogati stated that the CIB contacted Speaker Ghimire to provide information on the situation. The investigation focuses on the transfer of ownership of 10 ropanis of land, originally registered in the name of Bansbari Leather Footwear Factory, to Champion Footwear Limited, of which Chaudhary was a founding shareholder and former board member.
On February 1, his younger brother, industrialist Arun Chaudhary, was arrested in connection with the scandal, as was Ajit Narayan Singh Thapa, the shoe factory's executive head at the time. Sanjay Thakur, chairperson of BLSF's steering committee, was also arrested.
The Kathmandu District Court later released all three on a personal guarantee on February 10.
The Nepal Police have been instructed by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane to document the statements of all parties involved in the unlawful transfer of land from the Bansbari Leather Shoe Factory to private ownership, including legislator Chaudhary, and to carry out the investigation. According to Forbes Magazine, Chaudhary is the first and only billionaire in Nepal.
In the 1960s, the Chinese government helped establish the BLSF, a state-owned factory. The factory did well in its first year of operation, but less than two years later, it began to experience a significant drop in business. The authorities in charge of the factory realized that the business was not benefiting and decided to sell the 10 ropanis to cover the loss. According to a government document obtained by ukaalo.com, the seven ropanis of BLSF land were sold for Rs 150,000 by the BLSF steering committee on August 29, 1989. The price was significantly lower than the actual market price. Champions Footwear, another privately owned leather shoe manufacturer, purchased the land.
However, the government factory never received the money, instead, it was given a share of Champion Footwear. The shareholders of Champion Footwear were Binod Chaudhary and Arun Kumar Chaudhary, among many others, mostly belonging to the Chaudhary clan. Later, three more ropanis of BLSF was transferred to Champions Footwear in exchange for the share. Champion Footwear was shut down after three years of operation. After the closure of Champion Footwear, the 10 ropanis land was transferred to the private ownership of Chandbag Residence, owned by Arun Chaudhary and his wife Shila.
