CIB interrogates former PMs Bhattarai, Nepal on Lalita Niwas Land Scam

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: After large scale protest and criticism, the government has completed the formality of having two former Prime Ministers–Madhav Kumar Nepal and Baburam Bhattarai–face the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) in the Lalita Niwas land scam.

The two former Prime Ministers were, however, given special privilege, and the CIB investigating officials led by their chief Kiran Bajracharya presented themselves to their respective residence or the place desired by them.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ himself had called the Supreme Court verdict last month that paved the way for interrogation of the two former PMs as a ‘plot ultimately aimed at the sitting PM’ and made all attempt to protect them from being interrogated, but a wide spread protest within the ruling coalition and the media led the PM to retreat.

While the government had transferred some land to the fake tenants following a decision by the cabinet led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, Baburam Bhattarai led cabinet had transferred another piece of land to a ‘GUTHI (Trust) that existed only in paper.

There were no details available about the interrogation of the two former prime ministers but it was done at the last minute when the CIB was making its final preparation to frame case 46 people excluding Bhattarai and Nepal.

The Supreme Court verdict on 6th August to investigate those directly involved in decision making had removed the hurdle towards investigating two former Prime ministers Bhattarai and Madhav Nepal.