Kathmandu: Home Minister Sudan Gurung has stated that he and his business partners were misled by landowners in connection with a land lease dispute near Phewa Lake.
Issuing a statement through his secretariat on Monday, Gurung explained that the landowners had hidden the true status of the property when leasing it. The clarification follows reports that the leased land lies within a restricted zone around the lake, where authorities have recently begun demolishing structures in line with a Supreme Court directive.
According to Gurung, the landowners had assured them that the property was outside the 65-metre protected boundary of the lake. He added that official land documents also indicated that the land was suitable for use. Around eight to ten years ago, Gurung, along with two other entrepreneurs, had planned to launch an adventure tourism venture called “Adventure Sports Nepal” at the lakeside.
He said the group invested significantly in the project with the aim of building a business within the country. However, after being informed by the municipality that the land actually fell within the restricted zone, they decided to halt construction and investment on ethical grounds.
Gurung further stated that he intends to take legal action against the landowners, arguing that the investors were deceived. His remarks come amid growing criticism on social media after reports linked him to land located within the protected area of Phewa Lake.
