Former PM Madhav Kumar Nepal begins recording statement in Patanjali land scam

Kathmandu: Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has begun recording his statement at the Special Court in connection with the Patanjali land scam.

He appeared before the court today to respond to allegations that he was involved in the illegal transfer of land to Patanjali Ayurveda during his tenure as Prime Minister.

A joint bench comprising Justices Tej Narayan Singh Rai, Ram Bahadur Thapa, and Bidur Koirala is hearing Nepal’s statement at Bench No. 2. The court has announced that a closed-door hearing will follow once the statement is complete.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed a corruption case on June 22 against 93 individuals, including former Prime Minister Nepal, accusing them of facilitating the unlawful sale of land to Patanjali.

In Nepal’s case, the CIAA has demanded compensation of Rs 185.85 million, along with fines and appropriate legal action.