KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane has announced the initiation of an investigation into allegations of illegal purchase and sale of land acquired by Patanjali Yogpeeth under land-ceiling exemption.

In 2009, during Madhav Kumar Nepal's tenure as prime minister, the Council of Ministers approved Patanjali's purchase of 815 ropanis of land in Kavre under land-ceiling exemption for the establishment of an Ayurvedic University, research center, yogashala, Ayurvedic medicine industry, herb cultivation centre, cow farm, and more. Subsequently, Patanjali acquired over 593 ropanis of land in Sanga, Nasikasthan, and Mahendrajyoti Rural Municipality (Chalal Ganeshsthan), now part of Banepa Municipality in Kavre. However, less than a month and a half later, Patanjali Yogpeeth sought approval from the Council of Ministers to sell 353.15 ropanis of this land in violation of land laws.

Home Minister Lamichhane informed the House of Representatives on Monday that he has reopened the case file concerning the Patanjali Yogpeeth land scam.

"The file on the scam involving the purchase and sale of Patanjali Yogpeeth land has been reopened," he declared on Monday, adding, "No one guilty will be exempted."

On the same day, the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives directed the government to submit all documents related to the Patanjali Yogpeeth land in Kavrepalanchowk, associated with Indian yoga guru Ramdev, within seven days.

The committee sent a letter to the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation, requesting details on the purpose of the land purchase and sale by Patanjali Yogpeeth. The parliamentary committee has also sought details about the embezzlement of 353 ropanis of land and the total land owned by Patanjali Yogpeeth.

Home Minister Lamichhane added that an investigation is underway into the irregularities ranging from the Maoist cantonment to Lalita Niwas land scam.

According to Lamichhane, a powerful commission is being formed to investigate 25 scandals. The Ministry of Home Affairs has allocated a budget for this purpose and the commission will be established to proceed with the investigations within two months of budget implementation.

Lamichhane also mentioned efforts to arrest GB Rai, the chairman of Gorkha Media Network, who is currently in Malaysia. Lamichhane stated that he had two telephone conversations with the Malaysian Home Minister, who responded positively to the request for cooperation.