Kathmandu: A writ petition has been filed in the Supreme Court of Nepal against businessman Min Bahadur Gurung, founder of Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket, and the ruling Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML). The petition alleges unethical transactions, highlighting the donation of valuable land by Gurung to the party despite his involvement in multiple corruption cases.
The petition was submitted by Dr. Gyan Bahadur Basnet, Shyam Krishna Maskey, and Arjun Thapa, representing the “Campaign for Truth and Justice.” They argue that the acceptance of Gurung’s donation compromises public trust and violates legal and ethical norms, as he faces ongoing legal proceedings for tax evasion and involvement in the Lalita Niwas land scam. Gurung was previously convicted by the Supreme Court for VAT fraud and is still under investigation by the Special Court for land-related corruption.
According to the writ, Gurung donated land worth more than a billion rupees to the CPN-UML to establish its party office.
The petitioners argue that this donation, made while he is facing corruption charges, creates a conflict of interest and raises concerns about political transparency and accountability. They emphasize that Gurung’s financial ties to the party may influence governance and undermine public confidence in state institutions.
The petitioners requested the court to issue an interim order to halt any further transactions between Gurung and the party, stating that such donations blur the line between public service and private interests. They also referenced a recent Indian Supreme Court decision that declared secret donations to political parties unconstitutional, citing the need for similar judicial scrutiny in Nepal.
The writ concludes by warning that such political-business arrangements could promote corruption and erode democracy, urging the court to safeguard the principles of good governance. The case has already sparked public debate about the integrity of political leaders and the ethical limits of party funding.
