Former PM Madhav Kumar Nepal Appears Before Special Court in Patanjali Land Case

Former Prime Minister and Chairperson of CPN (Unified Socialist), Madhav Kumar Nepal, appeared before the Special Court on Wednesday to provide his statement in connection with the Patanjali land case.

His statement is being recorded before a bench comprising Justices Tej Narayan Singh Rai, Ram Bahadur Thapa, and Bidur Koirala. Following the statement, the bench is expected to proceed with a detention hearing.

On June 5, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a corruption case against Nepal and 93 others, citing irregularities in the transaction of land in Kavre that was exempt from the land ceiling law. The land was registered in the name of Patanjali Yogpeeth and Ayurvedic Company Nepal during his tenure as Prime Minister in 2009.

The CIAA has sought a fine and imprisonment equivalent to Rs 185.85 million in losses in the case involving Madhav Kumar Nepal. Following the indictment, he has been automatically suspended from his position as a member of the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, the CPN (Unified Socialist) has scheduled a meeting of its Secretariat on June 27 to discuss the matter and assess its political implications.