UML’s decision to accept land donation challenged in court

KATHMANDU: A writ petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the acceptance of land donation by CPN-UML to build its party building.

Advocate Gyan Bahadur Basnet filed the writ petition claiming that the acceptance of a land donation from Min Bahadur Gurung, the owner of the Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket chain, who has been implicated in the Lalita Niwas land scam, would constitute corruption.

The Supreme Court had initially rejected the writ petition. However, a single bench of Justice Til Prasad Shrestha overturned the decision and ordered the apex court administration to register the petition. The Supreme Court administration confirmed that the writ was registered on Wednesday.

“Since the individual donating 10 ropani and 14 ana land is currently facing a corruption case related to Lalita Niwas land scam, questions have been raised about why the party accepted land from a person involved in controversy,” the petitioner has argued.

The petitioner has requested an interim order to halt the proceedings.