KATHMANDU, May 9: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has initiated a formal investigation into the ongoing land dispute involving the Nepal Children’s Organization, commonly known as Bal Mandir, in Naxal, Kathmandu. The formal investigation began after Bal Mandir filed a complaint with the CIB on Thursday.

While CIB officials confirmed receipt of the complaint on Thursday, they did not disclose the names of the individuals or entities implicated. The disputed land, totaling 119 ropanis 12 annas and 3 paisa in area, was allocated to Bal Mandir by the government in 2021 BS following the takeover of 'Sita Bhawan' in Naxal. A complaint has now been filed in the CIB stating that the land has been misused.

The CIB had previously conducted a preliminary investigation into the matter, which suggested that the land had indeed been misused.  However, no formal legal action followed because no official complaint was filed at that time. With Bal Mandir’s recent filing of a complaint, the CIB is now initiating a formal investigation and preparing to take further legal steps.

The Bal Mandir, authorized by the government in 2049 BS to implement the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, failed to operate within its jurisdiction and instead misused the land.

Currently, various government agencies manage much of the119 ropanis, but it’s reported that 29 ropanis and 4 annas of land of the Bal Mandir was leased to a private school named Brihaspati Vidyasadan School for 59 years at a low rent, suggesting collusion between the school’s administration and former employees of the Bal Mandir.