Nepal Ex-PM: Graft Charge & Indian Yoga Firm Land Deal
- 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...
- 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...
- Nepal, who leads a small opposition party, dismissed the prosecution as a "political vendetta" in comments to the Kantipur daily newspaper.
Nepal Ex-PM faces Corruption Charges Over Patanjali Land Deal
Updated June 6, 2025
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.