KATHMANDU, July 2: Dr Baburam Bhattarai, former Prime Minister and Chairman of Nepal Samajwadi Party, has clarified that he has no personal involvement or interest in the Lalita Niwas land grab scam.

Dr Bhattarai has emphasized the need for an impartial investigation into all corruption scandals, including the Lalita Niwas case, and for the appropriate punishment of those found guilty.

In response to his name being associated with the Lalita Niwas case, Dr Bhattarai took to social media to provide an explanation. While acknowledging that his memory on the matter may not be comprehensive, he stated, "To the best of my recollection, approximately three ropanis of land registered under the name of Samarjung Company belonged to Pashupati Tikinya Guthi. Any decision made regarding this land should have been based on a careful examination of factual evidence and in accordance with established rules and regulations. I had expressed the same viewpoint when questioned by the authorities a few years ago. This is the extent of my connection to the case during my tenure as Prime Minister."

He further wrote, “I have no idea what happened after that. In no way has my interest or anyone close to me been attached to this case, and no one has made such an allegation till date.”

Stating that he has been raising his voice in parliament and outside that those who commit corruption should be punished, Bhattarai said that he is committed to this for life.

“In a situation where the trend of exploiting the state property for private gains and abuse of power is rampant in the country, I have been continuously raising the issue that there should be a fair investigation into all corruption scandals, including Lalita Niwas, and that the culprits should be punished as severely as possible in parliament and outside. I will remain committed to that for the rest of my life,” he said.

Dr Bhattarai also mentioned that Lalita Niwas and other similar cases should be resolved quickly. "Let this and similar cases be resolved quickly so that it is easy for the common people to distinguish between jaggery and cow dung," said former prime minister Bhattarai, "And no one can throw mud on others to cover their spots."

ललिता निवास प्रकरणको पुछारमा मेरो प्रमकालको मन्त्रिपरिषदको निर्णय पनि जोडिन पुगेकाले धेरै महानुभावहरूले चिन्ता र चासो सहित वास्तविकता सार्वजनिक गरिदिन आग्रह गर्नुभएको छ।

मेरो करिब १९ महिने प्रमकालमा प्रकृयागत ढंगले सयौं निर्णय भएका छन् तीबारे प्रमले सबै सम्झनसक्ने कुरो हुॅदैन! म…

— Baburam Bhattarai (@brb1954) July 2, 2023

 
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