Nepali Congress lawmaker and industrialists Binod Chaudhary summoned by CIAA in land registration probe

KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has summoned Nepali Congress lawmaker and prominent industrialist Binod Chaudhary for questioning regarding the controversial registration of land previously owned by Bansbari Leather and Shoe Factory.

The investigation centers on the alleged illegal transfer of land ownership to a private entity, the Chaudhary Group, raising questions about potential irregularities in the transaction.

Originally established in 2022 BS, Bansbari Leather and Shoe Factory witnessed the transfer of its land to Champion Footwear, a subsidiary of the Chaudhary Group, in 2042 BS.

The recent scrutiny surrounding this transaction has prompted legal investigations into the matter. Presently, the land in question is registered under the name of CG Chandbag Residence, another entity within the Chaudhary Group conglomerate.

In response to the land irregularity case, both the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police and the CIAA have launched investigations. Previously, three individuals, including Arun Kumar Chaudhary, were arrested on charges of embezzlement related to 10 ropanis of government land belonging to Bansbari Leather and Shoe Factory Limited.

Businessman Arun Chaudhary, brother of Binod Chaudhary, was also briefly detained by the CIB a few months ago but was subsequently released following a court order.

Kathmandu District Court Judge Yagya Prasad Acharya directed the release of the three individuals, citing no necessity for further detention for investigative purposes and instructing the police to conclude remaining investigation works.

Following the court’s directive, Ajit Narayan Singh Thapa, executive chairman of Bansbari Shoe Factory Limited, and Sanjay Thakur, managing director of CG Chandbag Residence, were among those released in connection with the land-grab case.

While investigations continue, a senior official from the CIB of Nepal Police affirmed ongoing efforts to probe the Bansbari land embezzlement case despite the release of the arrested individuals.

The CIAA and the CIB are diligently pursuing the embezzlement probe, with CIAA facing scrutiny for perceived inaction in complaints of government land irregularities.

During the investigative process, Binod Chaudhary provided a statement to the CIB at the office of the public prosecutor on March 21, indicating active engagement in the inquiry.

As the investigation unfolds, the scrutiny surrounding the alleged irregularities in the Bansbari land registration remains a focal point, with authorities committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in land transactions.