The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has launched an inquiry into land encroachment and misappropriation at Tribhuvan University.

The government-formed TU Land and Assets Investigation Committee 2024 found that about 2,539 ropani (≈1.29 million m²) of land belonging to the country’s oldest and the largest university has been encroached and recommended action against those responsible.

Rajendra Kumar Paudel, CIAA spokesperson, said the report from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has been largely reviewed. “The study is nearly complete. We have also requested additional evidence. Once the investigation starts, we will take action,” he said.

The committee, chaired by former secretary Mahendra Kumar Thapa, recommended that the CIAA and the Central Investigation Bureau investigate those who encroached on TU land and take legal action. It also found that operators of Kirtipur’s Laboratory Secondary School allegedly tried to seize university land using forged documents.

TU Registrar Kedar Rijal confirmed that the CIAA has requested land-related documents from the university. “Some documents have been sent; others are in process,” he said. A TU employee said the CIAA sought records and evidence on 108 ropani (54,942 m²) of land used by the Lab School. “We are compiling detailed information on TU land—how much exists, is in use, and is encroached. Additional documents are being sent to the CIAA,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who serves as TU’s chancellor, inquired about progress in reclaiming encroached university land. The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, Education Minister Mahabir Pun, Communication Minister Jagdish Kharel, TU Vice-Chancellor Deepak Aryal, Rector Khadga KC, and Registrar Kedar Rijal. Chief Secretary Eknarayan Aryal, Education Secretary Chudamani Paudel, and officials from the land investigation committee also joined the discussion.

Prime Minister Karki asked about the progress of implementing the report and the next steps. She sought details on how much land had been reclaimed, the status of ongoing processes, and legal actions against the guilty. She ordered that unrelated organisations and individuals attempting to occupy, seize, or sell TU land be stopped immediately. “Those responsible, whoever they may be, must be brought to court immediately,” an official quoted the prime minister as saying.

TU officials said they need government support to remove encroachers and reclaim misused land. Home Minister Aryal said the university should lead the effort, while cases of forgery should be filed separately with authorities, including the CIB.

He noted the CIB has the expertise to assist in land recovery and legal action. TU is now preparing a work plan to implement the committee’s report. “The plan will cover reclaiming identified encroached land with government support and forming a new investigation committee for further study,” a TU official said. Support from the Prime Minister’s Office, the home and education ministries, CIAA, and the police will be sought to execute the plan.

The TU Land and Asset Investigation Committee reported that of the 5,218 ropani (≈2.65 million m²) of land acquired for the university in 1956 and 1973, about 2,539 ropani (≈1.29 million m²) has been encroached. At the Kirtipur central campus, 1,843 ropani (≈937,083 m²) has been reduced or misused, while 696 ropani (≈354,085 m²) outside Kirtipur has also been encroached.

Within the Kirtipur central campus, about 843 ropani (≈428,849 m²) is occupied by 21 institutions and groups. TU’s constituent campuses in the Kathmandu Valley have lost 148 ropani and 15 aana (≈75,716 m²) to encroachment.

Field surveys of 18 of 22 campuses in Kathmandu found roughly 150 ropani (≈76,308 m²) encroached across seven campuses. In total, constituent campuses across Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur hold 1,253 ropani (≈637,420 m²).

The committee recommended further investigation by the CIAA and CIB into 108 ropani (≈54,942 m²) of land used by Lab School, stating the school had illegally occupied TU land. The report said anyone claiming TU land—including school management, principals, staff, district education offices, and education ministry officials—should be investigated under existing laws.

The school also allegedly submitted forged documents to the Land Revenue Office in Kalanki, claiming ownership of the land.

The religious institution Radha Soami Satsang Vyas Nepal has allegedly occupied 15 ropani (≈7,631 m²) of TU land illegally. Other organisations leased university land to third parties for hotels and petrol pumps. The committee recommended investigating the responsible professors and staff for fraud.

Outside Kirtipur, 696 ropani (≈354,085 m²) of land in Naikap, Dillibazar, Tripureshwar, Lubhu, Kapan, and Swayambhu has been encroached. The committee found that negligence by TU officials hindered proper land protection.

The report states the misappropriation occurred through collusion with political leaders, who protected the encroachers. “Political pressure, influence, and personal interests dominated the distribution of TU land,” it says.

The committee also held TU staff responsible and noted that unclear laws and policies contributed to the land misappropriation.