KATHMANDU, Oct 30: The corruption case against former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal over alleged irregularities in the Patanjali land deal has entered its final hearing stage, with the Special Court scheduling the final hearing for November 5.
As the hearing date approaches, the court has allowed Nepal to appoint a lawyer to appear on his behalf for routine court appearances.
The court accepted his request on Friday, granting him permission to appoint legal counsel. Nepal had filed an application on Wednesday, saying he would be unable to appear in person because he needed to travel outside the Kathmandu Valley for official work.
Chief Attorney or private lawyer?
Parvati Hitan, information officer at the Special Court, said a bench comprising Chairperson Basudev Acharya and members Dilliratna Shrestha and Umesh Koirala granted his request.
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed the corruption case against Nepal and 92 others at the Special Court on June 5, 2025.
The CIAA has accused Nepal of abusing his authority as prime minister to facilitate approval for Patanjali Yogpeeth to conduct land transactions exceeding the legal landholding limit.
According to the charge sheet, 314 ropanis, 15 annas, two paisas and one daam of land belonging to Patanjali Yogpeeth and Ayurveda Company Nepal in Sanga, Kavrepalanchok, was illegally sold and exchanged.
The CIAA has sought to recover Rs 185.85 million from Nepal, accusing him and other defendants of involvement in corruption.
The final hearing scheduled for November 5 will mark a key stage in the judicial proceedings in the Patanjali land case.
