Nepal Special Court schedules final hearing in Patanjali land corruption case

The Special Court in Kathmandu has scheduled the final hearing for November 5 in a corruption case involving former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. The case concerns alleged irregularities regarding a land deal involving Patanjali Yogpeeth and Ayurveda Company Nepal in Sanga, Kavrepalanchok.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed the case against Nepal and 92 others, accusing him of abusing his authority as prime minister to facilitate land transactions that exceeded legal limits. The CIAA is seeking to recover Rs 185.85 million, alleging that approximately 314 ropanis of land were illegally sold and exchanged.

Ahead of the hearing, the court granted Nepal permission to appoint a lawyer to appear on his behalf for routine proceedings, as he stated he would be unable to attend in person due to official travel outside the Kathmandu Valley.