Kathmandu, February 1, 2024 – The arrest of Arun Chaudhary, Chairman of CG Holdings and younger brother of industrialist Binod Chaudhary, has cast a spotlight on the alleged unlawful seizure of 10 ropani of land within the premises of the Bansbari Leather Shoe Industry. This arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into the controversial acquisition that involves Binod Chaudhary, who is already under scrutiny.
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) initiated the probe after receiving a complaint based on published news reports. The focus of the investigation is the purported conversion of government land into private property by the Chaudhary Group, formerly belonging to the Bansbari Leather and Shoe Factory.
The government allocated the 10 ropani of land in 2043 BS, citing financial losses incurred by the Bansbari Leather and Shoe Factory. However, the subsequent events surrounding Champion Footwear Limited, a company owned by Chaudhary Group, revealed a complex series of ownership changes.
Champion Footwear, intended to manufacture shoes on the government land, operated for only three years. Chaudhary Group later acquired 25 percent shares in the name of Bansbari Leather and Shoe Factory, ultimately claiming sole ownership of the land and rebranding it as ‘CG Chandbagh Residency Pvt. Ltd.’
As Arun Chaudhary faces charges, questions are also being raised about Binod Chaudhary’s involvement and legal ownership. A court order previously led to an arrest warrant for Arun Chaudhary, emphasizing the gravity of the charges against the Chaudhary family.
The unfolding investigation is shedding light on the intricacies of the alleged land conversion, bringing the Chaudhary brothers under increased scrutiny. With the controversy unfolding, the connection between Binod Chaudhary and the Bansbari government land remains a focal point in this unfolding legal drama.