KATHMANDU, May 8: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has filed fraud charges against 17 individuals, ending a year-long investigation into alleged misuse of land belonging to the Nepal Children’s Organization - locally known as the Bal Mandir. The investigation began in May 2024 after the CIB received multiple complaints regarding the alleged misuse of fixed assets belonging to the Bal Mandir.
The case faced delays due to changes in the federal government. The disputed property covers 119 ropanis, 12 annas, and 3 paisas of land, which was provided to Bal Mandir by the government in 1964 following the nationalization of Sita Bhawan in Naxal.
Of this land, 29 ropanis and 4 annas were leased to Brihaspati Vidyasadan, a privately owned boarding school at Naxal.
Police investigation found that a follow-up lease agreement signed in 2015 had extended the lease period until 2053, overriding an earlier lease contract valid until 2032.
The lease was reportedly renewed at an annual rent of Rs 11 million (roughly Rs 393,000 per ropani), an amount significantly lower than the prevailing market rates. Police investigators suspect a collusion between members of the Nepal Children’s Organization and the school owners behind the undervalued agreement.
The CIB submitted its report to the District Government Attorney’s Office, which filed a case at the Kathmandu District Court last Wednesday under Section 249 of the Criminal Code 2074 on charges of fraud. The complaint seeks to recover Rs 603.9 million in damages.
Initially, 20 individuals were named in the investigation. However, three were later excluded from the case due to death: Chiranjeevi Tiwari, then-chairperson of Brihaspati Vidyasadan Management Pvt Ltd; Manohar Gopal Shrestha, then serving as treasurer of the Nepal Children’s Organization; and Suman Shakya, the then deputy general secretary of the same organization.
Charges have been filed against several individuals in connection with the case involving the Nepal Children’s Organization and associated institutions. Among those charged are Rita Singh Vaidya, 71, former chairperson of the Nepal Children’s Organization; Tulsi Narayan Shrestha, 66, former vice-chairperson; and Ganesh Bhakta Shrestha, 70, former general secretary. Others include Krishna Shankar Sah, 53; Shyam Kumar Ale, 75; Subash Kumar Pokharel, 54; Prachanda Raj Pradhan, 62, also a former general secretary; Ram Kaji Gurung Kone, 69, former general secretary; and Yogendra Bahadur Shahi, 68, former vice-chairperson.
The list further includes Deepak Das Shrestha, 72, former deputy treasurer; Purushottam Raj Joshi, 82, chairperson of Brihaspati Vidyasadan; Praveen Raj Joshi, 50, director; Murari Nidhi Tiwari, 72, former director; Shraddha Sanghai, director; Abhinav Singhania, 44, director; Siddharth Kedia, 44, director; and Kirti Prasad Pandey, 71, director. These individuals are facing legal action for their alleged roles in the case.
According to CIB officers, Rita Singh Vaidya, the elder sister of Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh, is regarded as the central figure in the scam. Notably, no statement was recorded from her during the investigation. Authorities did not arrest her or fellow accused Yogendra Bahadur Shahi, citing old age and health concerns, but both were still listed as fugitives when the charge sheet was filed in court.
Fifteen other accused individuals had been interrogated earlier at the CIB and the District Government Attorney’s Office.
The fraudulent lease agreement came under scrutiny after Nepal Children’s Organization lodged a complaint accusing officials of renting out the land at below par rates, causing huge financial losses to the organization.