Nepal's Land Scandal Unravels: Ex-PM Oli Among Those Facing Passport Seizure and Asset Freeze

A high-level judicial probe commission in Nepal has delivered a bombshell report, recommending drastic measures against a slew of current and former government officials, including former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The commission's findings, which delve into the infamous Lalita Niwas land scam in Baluwatar, suggest the confiscation of passports, suspension of bank accounts, and seizure of properties for those implicated in the illicit acquisition of government land.

Led by former Supreme Court justice Mohan Raman Bhattarai, the commission submitted its detailed report to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, signaling a potent step forward in Nepal's fight against systemic corruption.

The recommendations underscore the severity of the alleged crimes and the government's commitment to holding even the highest-ranking officials accountable.

Among those specifically named for facing potential passport seizures are former Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, along with former Ministers Daman Nath Dhungana, Chhabi Raj Panta, and Chandra Dev Joshi.

The net extends further to former Chief Secretaries Lilamani Paudel and Dinesh Hari Adhikari, highlighting a broad spectrum of state actors potentially involved in the land misappropriation.

The commission, initially formed to investigate a series of government land scams across the country, focused intensely on the Lalita Niwas case.

Its meticulous three-month investigation uncovered a complex web of deceit involving 143 individuals. This extensive list includes not only senior government officials and politicians but also land revenue office staff and private citizens accused of orchestrating and benefiting from the land grabs.

At the heart of the scandal is approximately 114 ropanis—roughly 5.7 hectares—of prime government land that was allegedly transferred to private ownership using forged documents.

This intricate scheme involved manipulating records and abusing official positions to privatize public assets, depriving the state of valuable resources.

Beyond punitive actions, the Bhattarai commission has also put forth crucial long-term recommendations aimed at fortifying Nepal's land administration system.

These include the urgent need for new legislation to prevent similar scams in the future and the comprehensive digitization of all land records. Such reforms are deemed essential to enhance transparency, curb fraudulent activities, and protect public land from further encroachment.

The submission of this report marks a critical juncture.

The government has already initiated legal proceedings against some individuals implicated in the scam, indicating a determined effort to pursue justice. The public awaits further action, hopeful that these recommendations will lead to a thorough cleanup of corruption and a stronger, more accountable governance system in Nepal.