KATHMANDU, Nov 13: Nepal Scouts has got back its encroached land in Lainchaur, Kathmandu, which was illegally occupied by former energy minister Deepak Khadka of the ousted KP Oli-led government, after the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) demolished the illegally-built structures in the area on Thursday.
In a bid to take control of the structures built by Khadka Land Development Pvt Ltd (KLDPL) and its assets for failing to pay the lease amount, Nepal Scouts last week issued a public notice in line with court orders giving the company an ultimatum of one week to vacate. KMC Police Chief Raju Nath Pandey informed that a city police team on request of Nepal Scouts demolished the illegally-built structures on the premise of the encroached land.
Khadka Land Development is owned by Nepali Congress leader Deepak Khadka, who was the energy minister in the Oli-led government which was toppled by the Gen Z movement of September 8-9. Nepal Scouts leased its land to the company in 2008 for ten years. Although the lease expired in 2018, the company has been refusing to vacate the land.
Flag hoisting to mark scouts foundation day
In addition, the company was found encroaching nearly 12 ropanis of land of Nepal Scouts, although it took approval for using only three ropanis. The company had constructed buildings and operated a party palace, hotel, and restaurant on the site.
The Kathmandu District Court and Patan High Court had also issued verdicts in favour of Nepal Scouts. Following the court’s decision, Nepal Scouts issued a 35-day notice on December 14, 2022, requesting the company to vacate the land.
However, the KLDPL has been defying the court’s order on the pretext of the political influence of its owner, Khadka.
Khadka is accused of illegally extending the agreement to 15 years by influencing the then high level officials of Nepal Scouts. On top of this, the company still owes a hefty amount to be paid to Nepal Scouts. After the company failed to pay the rent on time, the Kathmandu District Administration Office sealed the land and structures on April 18, 2024.
