Kathmandu: The Special Court has granted bail of Rs 3.5 million to former Prime Minister and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal in connection with the high-profile Patanjali land scam case.
Nepal appeared before the court on Wednesday as arguments were heard regarding his alleged involvement in the illegal registration of public land. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed a corruption case on June 5 against Nepal and 93 others for their roles in a controversial land deal in Kavre during his tenure as Prime Minister in 2009.
The CIAA has demanded fines and punishment equivalent to Rs 185.85 million, citing state losses caused by the transaction. The land in question, which was under land ceiling exemption, had been registered in the name of Patanjali Yogpeeth and Ayurvedic Company Nepal.
Following the corruption charges, Nepal was automatically suspended from his position as a lawmaker under existing legal provisions.
Meanwhile, the CPN (Unified Socialist) has scheduled a Secretariat meeting for June 27 to discuss the political and legal fallout of the case, which has sent ripples across the party and national politics.