KATHMANDU: Allegations of irregularities against the Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation in the construction of the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium in Bharatpur have been proven baseless.
The sixth technical evaluation of the project found no wrongdoing, and a previous investigation conducted by the Pulchowk Institute of Engineering had also reached the same conclusion.
Artists Sitaram Kattel (Dhurmus) and Kunjana Ghimire (Suntali) established the foundation in 2015. In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that year, the couple even sold their home to support reconstruction efforts. Using their public influence, they mobilized support from both within Nepal and abroad.
Encouraged by the success of their initial initiatives, they later undertook the ambitious project of building an international cricket stadium—something many critics dismissed as unrealistic for a private initiative.
Some argued that individuals could never accomplish what should be the government’s responsibility. Despite the skepticism, the couple remained confident that, with cooperation from the government, citizens, and supporters everywhere, the project was both achievable and necessary.
Despite numerous criticisms, construction of the stadium continued—yet this persistence fueled suspicion within the federal government, particularly the Bharatpur Metropolitan City. Public representatives feared that the success of Dhurmus and Suntali could overshadow their own political influence.
Soon, targeted attacks against the couple began. They were accused of misusing funds raised from Nepali workers in the Gulf countries, including building a luxurious house with a swimming pool in Kathmandu.
They were labeled as living extravagantly on donated money. Despite repeatedly pleading their innocence, their voices went unheard. Sitaram even challenged authorities to dig up the stadium grounds and investigate if they truly believed corruption had occurred.
But those who wished to see them fail continued their efforts. For the past five years, Dhurmus and Suntali have been shuttling between Bharatpur Metropolitan City and Singha Durbar, carrying documents that consistently showed no irregularities in the stadium’s construction.
The same network that once celebrated them as heroes quickly turned them into “zeros.” Their artistic reputation suffered, and they were forced to live under the stigma of corruption despite being innocent.
Media narratives and coordinated attacks pushed them to the brink of emotional collapse. At one point, after repeatedly being denied justice, Sitaram reportedly told government officials at Singha Durbar, “If there is no justice, let me die here.”
Yet, no investigation has ever confirmed wrongdoing. In a heartbreaking Facebook post, Kunjana shared a video of their young daughter crying and wrote: “This cry of Shubhani three years ago, and the pain of not being able to support her for five years now—only those who have suffered can truly understand.”
She expressed the anguish of being punished for a crime they never committed, and the toll it has taken on their child. Likewise, Sitaram’s brother, Kumar Kattel, posted a video of him and wrote: “My brother has been wandering around Singha Durbar for justice for five years.”
Similarly, Kumar Kattel posted a video showing his brother being treated in the hospital and wrote, “Staying at Singha Durbar day and night… this is the current situation of my brother and the encouragement given to the youth to build the country.”
The couple has repeatedly maintained their innocence. They cried out on social media, pleaded with authorities, but their voices went unheard. Now, they ask who will compensate them for the false accusations that have cost them their careers, inflicted immense mental stress, and disrupted their social lives.
The government had allocated Rs 150 million in the current fiscal year’s budget to purchase the property based on the evaluation conducted by Pulchowk Campus. The Ministry of Finance released the amount to the account of Bharatpur Metropolitan City in July.
For its implementation, a written agreement was signed between the Pulchowk Institute of Engineering Studies, Bharatpur Metropolitan City, and the Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation, marking the start of the technical evaluation.
A team of expert technicians appointed by the metropolis submitted a report, confirming that work worth Rs 599 million, including VAT, had been carried out on the stadium handed over by the foundation. The report further revealed that the physical structure had been constructed at a cost higher than what the foundation had initially spent.
This marks the fifth government-led investigation into the stadium under various names. The first evaluation was conducted by Bharatpur Metropolitan City itself in 2078 BS through the Intensive Urban Development Project, Chitwan, which included both technical and financial assessments.
All five evaluation and investigation committees have consistently found no irregularities in the project. A complaint was also filed against Dhurmus with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) in 2078 BS.
After a thorough investigation, the CIAA gave Dhurmus a “clean chit” in 2081 BS. Despite handing over a structure worth Rs 720 million to the metropolis, Dhurmus has yet to receive payment for a debt of Rs 184.3 million.
The federal government released the funds, which should have been transferred immediately following the decision of the metropolitan council, but the metropolis has delayed the payment, seemingly to create difficulties.
Since the metropolis took ownership of the project in 2078 BS, it has continued the remaining work through contractors. Meanwhile, Dhurmus and the foundation have been forced to navigate government agencies and the courts, struggling to claim the funds they are rightfully owed.
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