Kathmandu: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIAA) has interrogated former Chief Secretary Leelamani Paudel regarding the Lalita Niwas land grab case involving government property in Baluwatar. The CIAA spent nearly four hours with Paudel on Sunday. The profiles of those who provided statements include former Prime Ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Baburam Bhattarai, according to reliable sources.

Paudel, who has also served as Nepal’s Ambassador to China, is a prominent figure. He served as the Chief Secretary from Bhadra 22, 2069, to Bhadra 20, 2072. In Kartik 13, 2073, he was appointed as Nepal’s Ambassador to China.

In connection to the Lalita Niwas case, the CIAA had previously arrested several individuals on Asar 12, 2076, and had initiated investigations into organized crime and violations of the Muluki Ain (Country Code). The case is expected to be presented to the court by Bhadra 12. The CIAA is reportedly pressuring government lawyers to understand the investigations done after arresting the suspects.

During the Panchayat era, properties were forcefully taken from rightful owner Suprabha Sumsher Rana by paying her compensation. These properties, including more than 143 ropanis of land, were distributed to various individuals and organizations, including government employees, the cabinet, land mafias, the Rana family, and political figures, between 2049 and 2069 BS.

When Baburam Bhattarai was the Prime Minister, Paudel played a role in converting the land registered under the name of Samarjang Company to Pasupati Tekincha Guthi, allegedly benefiting the Mohi community under the guise of Pasupati Tekincha Guthi. This issue was raised during the Cabinet meeting on Asar 18, 2069 BS. In the same case, Paudel provided a statement to the CIAA on Sunday.

Regarding the land registered under Pasupati Tekincha Guthi, where around 3.5 ropanis of land was transferred, and the involvement of fake ‘Mohi, Paudel’s statement is crucial. Before this, on Mangsir 15, 2076, he had provided an email response to the CIAA regarding the land transfer in the name of Pasupati Tekincha Guthi and its association with Mohi. Additionally, on Aswin 27, through an email, Paudel clarified that he had no connection with the land’s registration in the name of Pasupati Tekincha Guthi.

In the context of his role as the Chief Secretary, Paudel clarified that he had only processed the file received from the immediate past Secretary, and his remarks were about the decisions already made. He reiterated this in his Sunday statement. Paudel indicated that issues discussed in the Cabinet were passed on to the relevant ministry for implementation, with the responsibility mainly falling on them.

The decision-making process followed a decision made by the Cabinet’s Social Committee on Ashad 8, 2069, regarding the transfer of the land registered under the name of Samarjang Company to Pasupati Tekincha Guthi. After two months, on Shrawan 17, the proposal was approved by the Cabinet. The letter passed by the Cabinet was sent to the Ministry for execution, with Chief Secretary Paudel sending it to the then Land Reform Secretary Dinesh Hari Adhikari. The matter came to a close under the leadership of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and Minister Chandra Dev Joshi.

In total, Paudel and 6 former Secretaries and 4 former Ministers are facing CIAA action in connection with the arrest in this case. The Supreme Court has only issued an order to investigate two former Prime Ministers, Baburam Bhattarai, and Madhav Kumar Nepal, in this case.

In the Lalita Niwas case, the ownership of land registered under the name of Pasupati Tekincha Guthi, where the building named Samarjang Company stood, and the establishment of ‘Mohi,’ a fake institution, are the issues of focus.

On Asar 12, 2069, the Cabinet proposed to make ‘Mohi ‘the owner of the land registered under the name of Pasupati Tekincha Guthi. Two months later, the proposal was approved by the Cabinet on Ashad 17 for implementation. The same issue was forwarded for action, along with Paudel’s recommendation, to the Land Reforms Secretary Adhikari. The proposal and comments regarding making Mohi the owner of government land were presented by Paudel during the Cabinet meeting. He reiterated the same point in his Sunday statement. The decision confirmed by Paudel has also been proven to be accurate.