Nepal​ Ex-PM faces Corruption Charges Over Patanjali Land Deal

Updated June 6, 2025
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Kathmandu – Former Nepalese Prime​ Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal is facing ⁢corruption⁢ allegations and a hefty fine linked to land acquisitions by ⁣Patanjali Yogpeeth Nepal, a ‌company ⁣owned by Indian ⁣yoga guru Baba Ramdev. A court official confirmed that Nepal,‌ who‌ served as prime‌ minister from 2009 to​ 2011, is accused of⁤ enabling the company to acquire excessive land for herb‍ cultivation, processing, and a hospital project⁢ approximately ⁢15 years ago.

The⁤ Commission for⁣ the ‌Investigation of Abuse ⁢of Authority (CIAA),a nepalese anti-corruption watchdog,claims that some land in the ‌Kavre district was later ‍exchanged or sold at inflated prices,resulting in⁤ financial losses ⁣for the government.The commission⁢ has‌ demanded that⁢ Nepal pay a‌ fine of 185.85 million ⁤Nepali rupees, equivalent to $1.35⁣ million. A guilty verdict could also lead to a⁤ prison sentence of up to 17 years.

Nepal and Patanjali Yogpeeth both deny any wrongdoing. Nepal, who leads a small opposition ‍party, dismissed ⁤the prosecution as a “political vendetta”⁣ in comments to the Kantipur daily newspaper. He insisted he did ‌nothing illegal concerning the⁢ Patanjali land ⁤deal.

S‍ K ‍Tijarawala, a Patanjali spokesperson in India, stated ‍that the company acquired the land ⁢privately through legal channels and ⁢denied acquiring any government land. He‍ added that it was unfair to ​drag their name⁣ into local political disputes.

“I⁤ have not done​ anything illegal nor‌ indulged⁤ in any corruption concerning‌ Patanjali land deal causing any loss to the state,” Nepal told ⁣the ⁤Kantipur daily newspaper.

The CIAA has⁤ also filed charges against ⁣92 other individuals, including former ministers and‌ officials, some⁣ of whom are ​deceased. Yaga Raj Regmi, the court’s information officer,​ stated⁢ that ‍Nepal will ⁤receive a formal notice with 15 days to appear in court, after which the hearing will ‌commence.

What’s next

The legal proceedings against Nepal will unfold​ in the Special Court in Kathmandu, were the evidence will be presented ⁢and the court will determine the outcome​ of ‍the case. the case could have critically ​important implications ​for nepal’s political landscape.