Summary:

• Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal was granted bail by the Special Court in Kathmandu on June 25, 2025, in connection with the Patanjali land scam case.
• The court set bail at Rs 3.5 million after a nearly three-hour detention hearing.
• The case involves allegations that Nepal, during his tenure as prime minister (May 25, 2009 – February 6, 2011), facilitated the illegal sale of government-exempt land to Patanjali Yogpeeth Ayurveda Company Nepal.
• The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) accused Nepal and sought a prison sentence of 10 to 14 years along with recovery of Rs 185.85 million in damages and fines.
• Senior Advocate Sushil Pant represented CIAA and argued that the Cabinet decision enabling the land transaction was corrupt and not exempting Nepal from accountability.
• The defense, led by Senior Advocate Shambhu Thapa, challenged the CIAA’s legal standing, calling the charges politically motivated and legally baseless.
• The court considered Nepal's role and position before granting bail.
• The bench comprised judges Tej Narayan Singh Rai, Ram Bahadur Thapa, and Bidur Koirala.
• Nepal appeared in court, gave his statement, and was released on bail as ordered by the court.

This case has been one of the high-profile corruption-related investigations involving a former prime minister in Nepal.

Archive: https://archive.is/X28wa