Kathmandu, April 17
Tribhuvan University has initiated a process to reclaim its land and immovable assets, directing those who have encroached upon them to vacate within 35 days.
In a public notice, the university stated that land and properties provided to it by the Government of Nepal and various donors for academic development must be cleared and officially returned within 35 days from the date of the notice’s first publication.
The notice was issued following a decision by the university’s Executive Council on Chaitra 23, 2082 BS. It also warned that legal action would be taken in accordance with prevailing laws if the directive is not followed.
A 2024 report by the TU Land and Property Investigation Committee found that land and immovable assets owned by the university and its affiliated bodies had been unlawfully occupied, used, and controlled by individuals, companies, and organisations in violation of existing laws and university regulations.
The university has moved forward to implement the report’s recommendations.
The report identified that more than 18 organisations had encroached on TU land. Out of the university’s total landholding of 5,050–3–1–1 ropani, over 2,000 ropani has been occupied through alleged collusion involving former officials and staff.
In Kirtipur alone, around 1,500 ropani of TU-owned land is currently being used by various institutions. Although TU holds ownership certificates for 3,613 ropani in Kirtipur, it effectively controls only about 2,500 ropani.
The report also stressed the need to investigate TU land outside the Kathmandu Valley and verify land owned by its constituent campuses.
It concluded that former prime ministers, education ministers, and university officials were responsible for failing to protect TU’s land. The committee recommended action against those involved and the recovery of the encroached land, while also suggesting that some cases warrant investigation by anti-corruption and criminal investigation bodies.
