KATHMANDU, JUNE 5
The parliamentary position of former Prime Minister and Unified Socialist Party Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal has been suspended following the filing of a corruption case against him by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
The CIAA on Thursday filed a corruption case at the Special Court in Kathmandu against 93 individuals, including Nepal, in connection with a controversial land deal involving Patanjali Yogpeeth and Ayurveda Company Nepal. The case alleges the misuse of public property and corruption in the acquisition and sale of land in Kavrepalanchok district.
According to the CIAA, Patanjali acquired 554 ropanis of land in Mahendrajyoti, Sanga, and Nasikashthan, exceeding the legal ceiling set by the Land Act, 2021 (1964). Of the total land, 314 ropanis were allegedly sold to Manu Ghimire and seven others for private use, following a Cabinet decision dated March 20, 2010 (2066-12-06 BS).
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Following the filing of the charge sheet, the CIAA sent a formal letter to the Parliament Secretariat notifying them of the case, triggering an automatic suspension of Nepal's parliamentary membership.
Under Section 33 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2002, any public servant charged with corruption is automatically suspended until the case is fully resolved.
The CIAA has demanded the recovery of Rs 185.85 million from Nepal and others, along with prison sentences and fines under Section 3(1)(j) and other relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059 (2002).
