KATHMANDU, March 21: Industrialist and lawmaker Binod Chaudhary has said that he is being drawn into political maneuvers.
After providing his statement to the police at the public prosecutor's office in connection with the Bansbari land-grab case, in a brief exchange with journalists, he expressed frustration at being politicized. Chaudhary said that certain individuals are exploiting irrelevant matters to create political spectacle, despite his duty as a responsible citizen to provide a statement upon receiving a written request from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police.
He said, "There is no need for those who politicize themselves through stunts to certify my character. Throughout my 45-year career, I have remained impartial on various issues. Their intention is always to engage in the politics of development and talk about progress, so there's no need to validate my character for them."
He said that even when investigations were initiated against his brother, he consistently advocated justice. He said that if his brother were found guilty, due process should be followed for appropriate action to be taken.
CIAA to question industrialist Chaudhary in Bansbari land case
"While individuals like myself stand firm on conveying this message," he said, "The state should be mindful of the impact on the youth of Nepal and beyond, as well as the employers and taxpayers of Nepal, and the sentiment they carry within them."
In coordination with the CIB of Nepal Police, the District Government Attorney’s Office, Kathmandu, took a statement from industrialist Chaudhary this morning in the case of sale and purchase of the land of Bansbari Leather and Shoe Factory.
Chaudhary himself reached the public prosecutor's office at 8 AM this morning and provided his statement to the CIB.
His middle brother Basanta Chaudhary was released after being interrogated by the CIB on Wednesday. Then MP Binod Chaudgary was called to the public prosecutor's office this morning to provide a statement.
The CIB had initiated an investigation into the illegal sale of 10 ropanis of land belonging to the government-owned Bansbari Leather and Shoe Factory to the privately-owned Champion Footwear Pvt Ltd. Currently, Champion Footwear is closed and its assets are in the name of CG Chandbagh Residency Pvt Ltd.
The investigation began after the arrest of Arun Chaudhary, the younger brother of billionaire industrialist and MP Binod Chaudhary, on February 1. Similarly, after questioning his middle brother Basanta Chaudhary, the CIB called him and started taking his statement in the presence of the public prosecutor.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, has also been informed that the investigation has been initiated against MP Chaudhary. In a letter sent to Speaker Ghimire on Wednesday, it has been mentioned that MP Chaudhary is being investigated in the case of embezzlement of land belonging to Bansbari Leather and Shoe Factory.
