The Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police on Sunday night interrogated former prime ministers duo Baburam Bhattarai and Madhav Kumar Nepal in connection with the Lalita Niwas land grab case.

The CIB recorded their statements amid speculations that it was preparing to submit an investigation report on the case to the district government attorney's office without interrogating the former prime ministers bowing down to pressure from the coalition partners.

In a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Bhattarai on Monday morning confirmed he recorded his statement.

“In accordance with my public commitment right from the beginning, I have fulfilled my duty by giving truthful information to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CIB) regarding the questions raised about the decision taken by the Council of Ministers on the Lalita Niwas during my tenure,” said Bhattarai.

“I hope that this case will be a starting point to end all types of corruption and irregularities and guarantee good governance in the country.”

On August 6, the Supreme Court ordered the authorities to launch an investigation against members of the then Cabinet for their alleged involvement in making decisions to transfer the ownership of the Lalita Niwas land in Baluwatar in the name of private individuals.

The top court’s order had opened the door for investigations against the then prime ministers Nepal and Bhattarai for their alleged involvement in the scam. Nepal was prime minister from May 25, 2009, to February 6, 2011. Similarly, Bhattarai was prime minister from August 29, 2011, to March 14, 2012.

According to sources, both the former prime ministers admitted that the government land was captured by the land mafia when they took the decision believing the proposal from the ministry. They argued that they had no intention of grabbing the land and taking illegal benefits from it, adding that they would cooperate in bringing the guilty to book.

The CIB is preparing to submit the report to the district attorney’s office on Monday.

The Lalita Niwas area covers around 300 ropanis [around 15 hectares] of land adjoining the prime minister's residence, Nepal Rastra Bank’s central office and some VIP residences.