Ordered to release Madhav Nepal on bail of 3.5 million rupees.

Kathmandu: A special court has ordered the release of former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on bail set at NPR 3.5 million (35 lakh rupees). The bail will be secured through a bank guarantee from Global IME Bank.

This order came following the conclusion of the bail-hearing on Wednesday in the case filed by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) against former Prime Minister Nepal in the special court.

During the bail hearing:

On behalf of the CIAA, lawyers argued their points.

On behalf of Madhav Nepal, senior advocates Krishnaprasad Bhandari, Shambhu Thapa, Raman Shrestha, and others presented arguments.

In his plea, 99‑year‑old senior advocate Krishnaprasad Bhandari contended that the entire responsibility for the Patanjali land scandal could not rest solely on Madhav Nepal, but that all members of the Council of Ministers should be held equally accountable. He argued that Madhav Nepal should not be detained during the trial.

Senior advocate Shambhu Thapa, representing Nepal, challenged the legitimacy of the prosecution’s counsel. He stated in court:

“Sushil Pant is not allowed to argue this case, because on page 604 of the charge‐sheet it is stated that government prosecutors are to argue. He is not a government prosecutor.”

On the side of the CIAA, senior advocate Sushil Pant argued that former PM Nepal should be remanded in custody for the sake of a thorough investigation.The hearing took place before Judges Tejnarayan Singh Rai, Rambahadur Thapa, and Bidur Koirala in court on Wednesday.

About 120 people filed power‐of‐attorney papers to represent Madhav Nepal. Alongside Shambhu Thapa, advocates Govind Bandi, Khambahadur Khati, and others were registered as his legal representatives.

Senior advocate Sushil Pant described the Patanjali land embezzlement case as “rare and special” in nature. He told the bench:

“It is appropriate to keep former Prime Minister Nepal in custody while the investigation proceeds.”

Madhav Nepal appeared at the special court at 11 a.m. Wednesday, along with his legal team, to present statements.

The CIAA had filed a corruption case on June 5 (Jestha 22) against former PM Nepal and 92 others, in connection with the Patanjali land scandal.

The case seeks recovery of NPR 18,585,000 in damages from the 93 accused, including former Prime Minister of Nepal.