Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has instructed the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) to suspend all activities related to vacating the Gaushala Dharmashala.

As the chairperson of PADT, Pandey issued the directive on Wednesday, citing concerns over security in the area, according to a letter from the ministry addressed to the PADT.

Pandey has also called for a PADT Executive Council meeting on Sunday at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation to discuss the issue, PADT spokesperson Rewati Raman Adhikari said.

The dispute over the management of Gaushala Dharmashala escalated after the PADT, on Tuesday, accused Marwadi Sewa Samiti of seeking to acquire the land on which the pilgrims’ shelter stands, located northwest of the Gaushala crossroads.

On May 23, 2003, the Trust and the Samiti reached an agreement that allowed the Samiti to manage the property for an annual rent of Rs51,000. However, in recent years, PADT has requested an increase in the nominal rent, which the Samiti refused.

In response, the Trust terminated the two-decade-old agreement on August 2, 2023, and decided to reclaim the 9.5 ropani (0.48 hectares) of land and infrastructure. It also handed over the responsibility of managing the property to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Challenging this decision, the Samiti took the matter to the Kathmandu District Court. However, on October 2, the court dismissed the case, ruling that the Samiti had failed to substantiate its claims.

Following the court’s decision, the trust and the metropolis began efforts to take possession of the property, but they have faced resistance from individuals linked to the Samiti, a charitable organisation of the Marwadi community.

The Samiti obstructed the metropolis’ attempt to claim the property on Tuesday, as well as during a previous attempt on October 9. Due to continued resistance, the metropolis administration has sought assistance from the District Administration Office, Kathmandu. Meanwhile, the Trust held a press briefing to clarify its stance.

The PADT has stated that the property will be used solely for religious purposes. However, it is currently rented out for operating hotels, lodges, and restaurants, among other businesses.