KATHMANDU: Former Prime Minister and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal concluded his statement on Wednesday at the Special Court in the high-profile Patanjali land scam case filed by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).

Nepal appeared before a bench comprising Judges Tej Narayan Singh Raya, Ram Bahadur Thapa, and Bidur Koirala. The CIAA filed the case on June 5 against Nepal and 93 others, accusing them of misusing government authority during his premiership.

The charges stem from a controversial Cabinet decision that granted special permission to Patanjali Yogpeeth Nepal—a non-profit subsidiary of India’s Patanjali group—to purchase 815 ropani of land in Bancha village of Kavrepalanchok district.

According to the CIAA, Nepal unlawfully allowed land ceiling exemptions, enabling the land originally earmarked for public welfare projects such as a hospital, herbal farm, and educational facilities, to be used for commercial purposes.

The anti-graft body has demanded Rs. 185.85 million in damages from Nepal, with claims against the other accused varying based on their involvement.

Over 120 lawyers have registered to defend Nepal, including senior advocates Shambhu Thapa, Gopal Krishna Ghimire, Govinda Bandi, and Khamba Bahadur Khati. However, to avoid possible judicial custody if the bail hearing extends, only a few lawyers presented arguments on his behalf on Wednesday.

Senior Advocate Sushil Panta is representing the CIAA as a private prosecutor. The bail hearing is expected to conclude today.