The CPN (Unified Socialist) condemned the corruption charges filed against its chairman and former prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, calling the move a politically motivated act of revenge and conspiracy.

In a statement issued following a secretariat meeting held after the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a case against him, among others, on Thursday, party leaders expressed grave concern over what they described as an attack driven by political vengeance.

The CIAA has accused Nepal and 92 others—including former ministers, secretaries, and senior officials—of misappropriating land in a high-profile case related to Patanjali Yogpeeth Nepal.

“The case against our chairman is clearly a politically motivated and conspiratorial attack,” said party vice-chair Prakash Jwala. “We will respond to this politically and legally, and present factual evidence to refute these claims.”

The Unified Socialist accused the CIAA of working under the influence of the current government, asserting that the agency has failed to scrutinise similar Cabinet decisions in the past, but selectively targeted Nepal. “The shadow of the government is clearly visible in the CIAA’s decision,” Jwala added.

The case involves alleged corruption in the acquisition of land granted under a ceiling exemption during Nepal’s premiership.

The CIAA has sought to recover Rs185.5 million in losses from the state, citing irregularities in the purchase of over 800 ropani of land in Banepa and additional plots across several districts, intended for yoga centres and Ayurvedic institutions.

Madhav Nepal, speaking at his home district of Rautahat, denied any wrongdoing and expressed shock over the developments. “Someone may have taken advantage of legal loopholes, but I was never aware of such activities. I never imagined anything like this happening under Patanjali’s name,” he said.

He added that he had neither committed nor encouraged any misconduct, stating, “I need to consult legal experts before commenting further.”

Nepal served as prime minister from May 2009 to February 2011. A senior leader of the CPN-UML during his tenure, he later broke away to establish the CPN (Unified Socialist) in 2021.