Kathmandu – The Special Court has ordered the release of former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on bail in connection with the Patanjali Yogpeeth and Ayurveda Company land misappropriation case.
A joint bench of Special Court judges Tej Narayan Singh, Ram Bahadur Thapa, and Bidur Koirala issued the order, setting the bail amount at NPR 3.5 million (35 lakh rupees).
Nepal appeared before the Special Court on Wednesday afternoon, where his statement was recorded. Following this, lawyers from both the defense and prosecution sides presented their arguments regarding his detention. After the hearing, the court granted him bail.
In total, five lawyers represented Nepal, while another five argued on behalf of the government.
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed a corruption case at the Special Court against Nepal and 93 others, alleging irregularities in the land ceiling exemption process during the purchase of land for Patanjali Yogpeeth.
The charge sheet demands recovery of NPR 185.85 million (approximately 185.8 million rupees) from Nepal, holding him responsible for financial losses incurred due to the irregular decision made during his tenure.
The case relates to past decisions that allowed Patanjali Yogpeeth to acquire land beyond the legally permitted ceiling limit, which the CIAA says was done unlawfully.
