The government has successfully reclaimed 10 ropanis (a ropani is 5476 sq ft of land) of land of Bansbari Leather and Shoe Factory, which was unlawfully registered under the name of Chaudhary Group through Champion Footwear. Land Reform and Land Revenue Office Dillibazar On Friday decided to retain the land in the name of the government. With this, the land of Bansbari leather shoe has returned to the name of the government after 42 years. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has launched investigation in this regard.
During a press briefing on Friday, the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation made the official announcement of the transfer of ownership of the land. The land has been rightfully reinstated under the government’s ownership in accordance with Section 24 of the Land Revenue Act, 1978, according to the officials. The land plot in question, originally designated for Bansbari Leather Shoes, was transferred to Champion Footwear and subsequently to Chandbag Residency Pvt Ltd, without proper authorization from the government. This move comes amidst ongoing investigations by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police into the alleged involvement of Member of the House of Representatives Binod Chaudhary, who is the only billionaire of Nepal recognized by the Forbes magazine.
CBI last week interrogated Chairman of Chaudhary Group, Binod Chaudhary, in the land grab scam. Last onth his youngest brother Arun was detained for four days in connection with the land embezzlement scam.
A team of CIB recorded a statement of Binod Chaudhary at the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Bhadrakali on Thursday. The CIB also took a statement of his brother Basanta on Wednesday.
Responding to media persons after submitting his statement at the attorney’s office, Chaudhary claimed that the government action against him was “a stunt and driven by political motives.”
Chaudhary said that the government is even playing politics with industrialist like him, pointing out that it should be mindful of the message it spread to Nepali youths, entrepreneurs, employers, and taxpayers within and outside the country.
“I voiced my opinion in Parliament as soon as an investigation started against me. I was called to produce my statement and I complied with it, fulfilling my duty as a responsible citizen and a politician,” remarked Chaudhary.
Dismissing the allegations against him as a political stunt, Chaudhary argued that he doesn’t have to provide a certificate of his character to those involved in the drama.
On Wednesday, the CIB had informed Speaker of the House of Representative Devraj Ghimire that it is investigating Chaudhary’s involvement in the land grab case. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Rabi Lamichhane on Sunday had directed top police officials to investigate into industrialist Chaudhary’s involvement in the scam.
