KATHMANDU, June 5: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against 13 individuals, including former Sunrise Bank CEO Kishor Kumar Maharjan, over irregularities in granting land ceiling exemptions to Patanjali Yogpeeth and Ayurved Company.
The accused also include Assistant General Manager Neeta Pradhan, Risk Officer Sujit Pokharel, Branch Manager Rajiv Sapkota, and Officer Mamata Parajuli. Sunrise Bank has since merged with Laxmi Bank and now operates as Laxmi Sunrise Bank.
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The CIAA alleges that land exceeding the legal ceiling—belonging to Patanjali and classified as government or public land—was approved as collateral, enabling loan disbursement from the bank. The Land Revenue Office in Kavre and Guthi Sansthan officials are accused of colluding to facilitate the loan by issuing false documents and approving excessive land as mortgage.
The accused also include Ashu Mainali (junior management trainee), Manoj Nyaupane (deputy manager), Bikrant Koirala (senior assistant), Rabin Kumar Nepal (chief manager), Asha Rana (AGM and former board member of Nabil Bank), Sanjay Kumar Siddhi (head of risk management), Sunil Ratna Sthapit (compliance), and Balram Bista (deputy GM).
The CIAA claims that the transaction caused a corruption loss of Rs 185.8 million and was executed with ill intent for personal gain while harming public institutions. A corruption case has also been filed against former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal in connection with the scandal.
