BUTWAL: The District Administration Office in Rupandehi has initiated a formal investigation into the controversial transfer of land, including the runway of Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa, to an individual’s name.

This investigation was prompted by a complaint alleging that approximately 4 bighas and 17 katthas of airport land were surreptitiously registered in the name of an individual, facilitated by collusion between land smugglers and employees of the land revenue office.

Ganesh Aryal, the Chief District Officer (CDO) of Rupandehi, confirmed that the administration is conducting an internal inquiry and has summoned the relevant parties for a meeting scheduled for Sunday.

“We have demanded the submission of land authorization certificates as well as revenue and airport project payments,” stated CDO Aryal, emphasizing that “all concerned parties are expected to appear on Sunday with all pertinent documents and evidence related to the land transaction.”

Remarkably, it was revealed that the land, which had been demarcated 58 years ago for a temple, was mysteriously re-registered in the name of an individual after the area was transformed into an airport.