The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against seven individuals, including two former ministers, in connection with the Pokhara Litchi Garden land scam. The special court registered the case on Wednesday.
Former Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Rajkumar Gupta and former Minister of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation Ranjita Shrestha, along with five others, have been accused of bribery. Gupta is a central committee member of the Nepali Congress UML, while Shrestha serves as the president of the Citizen Liberation Party.
Other defendants include Ramchandra Adhikari, former chief of the Kaski Land Revenue Office; landbroker Sujan Kumar Lama (Tamang); Khem Bahadur “Khem” Pun; Yam Kumari Gurung; and Tulsiram Budha Magar.
Bribery Deal Exposed
Investigations revealed that former Minister Gupta offered NPR 25 million to appoint Khem Bahadur Pun as the chairperson of the Kaski Land Commission and NPR 53 million to prevent the transfer of Ramchandra Adhikari from the Kaski Land Revenue Office. An audio recording of the bribery discussion with intermediaries surfaced on July 12, 2025 (28 Ashad 2082 BS).
Following the audio leak, then-Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli summoned Gupta to Baluwatar for questioning. The intermediary can be heard requesting the former Minister of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation, Balram Adhikari, to facilitate Pun’s appointment. The 9-minute 13-second audio eventually led to Gupta’s resignation.
Case Details and Penalties
According to Yagya Regmi, information officer of the Special Court:
- Former Ministers Gupta and Shrestha are each being asked to pay NPR 7.8 million as fines.
- Landbroker Sujan Kumar Lama is also liable for NPR 7.8 million.
- Yam Kumari Gurung and Tulsiram Budha Magar face fines of NPR 7.8 million each.
- Former Kaski Land Revenue Office chief Ramchandra Adhikari is asked to pay NPR 5.3 million.
- Khem Bahadur Pun owes NPR 2.5 million.
Gupta’s Bribery Deal
Investigations show that Gupta negotiated bribes for two schemes:
- Preventing the transfer of Ramchandra Adhikari from Kaski Land Revenue Office.
- Appointing Khem Bahadur Pun as the chairperson of the Kaski Land Commission.
By offering NPR 53 million to Adhikari and NPR 25 million from three intermediaries for Pun’s appointment, Gupta’s bribery dealings were confirmed. The CIAA also revealed irregularities in the transfer and land registration process for plots numbered 25, 26, and 28 in Pokhara Metropolitan City-16 (formerly Batulechaur-1) Litchi Garden.
Irregular Land Registration
The land in question, part of the Litchi Garden, was intended to be registered under the names of Durga Devi Shah’s heirs, including Suraj Shah Thakuri. However, delays and irregularities at the Kaski Land Revenue Office, overseen by Adhikari, led to intermediaries taking control.
The intermediaries, including Sujan Kumar Lama, colluded with Yam Kumari Gurung and Tulsiram Budha Magar to secure 40% of the land for themselves. Documents show that the transaction occurred on May 2, 2024 (20 Jestha 2081 BS).
Gupta had been elected from Parsa-3 in the 2022 parliamentary elections and served as minister under K.P. Sharma Oli.
Shrestha’s Involvement
Former Minister Ranjita Shrestha coordinated with intermediaries to facilitate bribes. Sujan Kumar Lama approached Shrestha to ensure Khem Bahadur Pun’s appointment as the Kaski Land Commission chairperson. Investigations reveal that Shrestha actively participated in the process.
On January 12, 2025 (28 Poush 2081 BS), former Ministers Gupta and Shrestha, along with intermediaries Sujan Kumar Lama and Khem Bahadur Pun, were reportedly present at the ministerial residence in Bhainsepati, Lalitpur. A total bribe of NPR 78 million was exchanged: NPR 53 million to prevent Adhikari’s transfer and NPR 25 million for Pun’s appointment.
Role of Intermediaries
Sujan Kumar Lama, a well-known landbroker, maintained close ties with ministers and land office officials. He facilitated irregular land registrations, influenced personnel transfers, and leveraged political connections. Investigations suggest that his group operated a network in Kaski to register public land under private names and manipulate the land market.
Kaski Land Office Dynamics
Ramchandra Adhikari, former chief of the Kaski Land Revenue Office, initially resisted a transfer due to family ties in Pokhara. He was eventually replaced by Chiranjeevi Paudel in December 2023 (24 Mangsir 2080 BS) but was briefly brought back after intervention by intermediaries. Investigations reveal that Gupta repeatedly instructed the secretary of the Federal Affairs and General Administration Ministry to manage Adhikari’s transfer.
Political Background of Khem Bahadur Pun
Khem Bahadur Pun, who sought appointment as the Kaski Land Commission chairperson, had twice failed in local elections for Ward 32 in Pokhara. He is a member of the UML Gandaki Province Committee. Investigations show he leveraged political influence and intermediaries to secure the position.
Historical Context: Pokhara Litchi Garden Land
The Pokhara-16 Litchi Garden land has a history of disputes. After the monarchy restored land to the Rana family, multiple illegal claims occurred in 1974 (2031 BS), resulting in around 134 ropanis of contested land. The case involving Durga Devi Shah and Lok Divyeshwari Shah led to several court decisions confirming their ownership, but intermediaries manipulated transfers for personal gain.
By June 23, 2025 (8 Ashad 2082 BS), an audio of Gupta’s NPR 53 million bribe was released, prompting his resignation. Investigations also revealed that Ministers Balram Adhikari and Ranjita Shrestha accepted bribes in connection with the same case.
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