Ex-PM Nepal testifies before three-judge bench, remand debate follows
He reached at the court premises around 10:45 AM with his legal team after requesting the court on Tuesday to allow him to appear in person.
KATHMANDU: Former Prime Minister and Chairman of CPN (Unified Socialist) Madhav Kumar Nepal appeared before the Special Court on Wednesday to give his statement in a high-profile corruption case involving the controversial land swap with Patanjali Yogpeeth.
A joint bench of Judges Tej Narayan Singh Rai, Ram Bahadur Thapa, and Bidur Koirala began recording Nepal’s statement at Bench No. 2 of the Special Court.
He reached at the court premises around 10:45 AM with his legal team after requesting the court on Tuesday to allow him to appear in person.
Following the conclusion of his statement, the court is set to begin the detention hearing today itself.
The outcome of the hearing will determine whether Nepal will be remanded in custody or released on bail while the case proceeds.
Nepal’s legal team is expected to argue for his release on general date, citing his status as a former prime minister, his advanced age, and the lack of risk of him destroying evidence or fleeing.
On the other hand, government prosecutors will argue that due to the gravity of the charges—misusing his authority under the guise of policy decisions to facilitate corruption—he should be kept in custody to ensure an impartial investigation.
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed the case on June 5 against Nepal and others, accusing them of irregularities in granting government land in Hetauda to Patanjali Yogpeeth during his tenure as prime minister.
The CIAA has demanded a fine and imprisonment, citing a loss of Rs 185.85 million to the state.
