Kathmandu: Former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Unified Socialist Party, Madhav Kumar Nepal, will not have to remain in custody after the Special Court ordered his release on bail of Rs. 3.5 million. The court issued this decision in connection with the high-profile corruption case involving the sale and transfer of government land to Patanjali Yogpeeth during Nepal’s tenure as Prime Minister.

Special Court Issues Bail Order
A joint bench comprising Judges Tej Narayan Singh Rai, Ram Bahadur Thapa, and Bidur Koirala ruled that Nepal could be released on bail while the case proceeds. The court rejected the prosecution’s demand to keep him in custody, instead opting for conditional release.

Defense Team Seeks Unconditional Release
Nepal’s legal team, including prominent advocates Raman Shrestha, Shambhu Thapa, Khamba Bahadur Khati, and Govinda Bandi, argued for his unconditional release, claiming the case was politically motivated and lacked sufficient grounds to detain a former head of government.

CIAA Argues for Detention
On the opposing side, government attorneys representing the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) demanded that Nepal be kept in custody during the trial. Senior Advocate Sushil Pant, appearing for the CIAA, argued that Nepal’s Cabinet decision to approve the sale and exchange of restricted government land to Patanjali was not a legitimate policy decision, but rather an act of corruption serving personal interests.

He emphasized the scale of damage caused to the state and insisted that the decision warranted custodial investigation.

Background: The Patanjali Land Case
The case stems from a Cabinet decision during Madhav Nepal’s premiership, which approved the sale and exchange of protected land in Lahan, Siraha district, to Patanjali Yogpeeth Nepal, an affiliate of the Indian-based Patanjali group. The CIAA has claimed that the decision violated land laws and led to significant financial loss to the state.

Nepal is among several high-profile figures named in the case, which has triggered public and political scrutiny over abuse of executive power.

Next Steps
While Nepal has secured bail, the corruption case against him will move forward in court. Legal analysts note that the Special Court’s decision for bail does not clear Nepal of charges, but it allows him to defend himself from outside custody.

The case is seen as a major test of Nepal's anti-corruption commitment, particularly involving former prime ministers and high-ranking officials.