April 22, Kathmandu – Begnarayan Mahto and his wife Umakumari Devi from Barhathwa, Sarlahi, have endured a challenging life working in Bahrain, cleaning cars in parking lots. Their daily wage was only 78 Bahraini dinars (approximately 31,000 Nepalese rupees). Occasionally, satisfied customers tipped extra, especially during Eid and Ramadan, when tips could reach up to 150 dinars. They used the money to support their family and sent some funds to Umakumari residing in Saptari.
The story dates back to 2015 (2072 BS) when Umakumari took a loan of NPR 150,000 with interest from the mother of their neighbor Nishan Mainali due to financial needs. This loan drew them into a financial trap. They realized the interest was extortionate, leading to growing problems. From 2017 to 2022, Nishan Mainali’s family pressured them further, insisting on loan repayments with meter interest and maneuvered to transfer the land’s ownership under the pretext of placing a ‘visionary lien.’ The land, approximately 10 katthas, originally registered under Umakumari’s brother’s name, had been purchased after years of hard work by Begnarayan.
However, the lending family placed a ‘visionary lien’ on the land and within four days, the ownership document was legally passed to Nishan’s mother. Illiterate Umakumari was unaware of these proceedings. Eventually, when the debt ballooned to NPR 1 million, their troubles increased. The Mahto family has paid over NPR 6.5 million to Mainali’s family through selling other land and borrowing from villagers but have yet to receive justice. Despite lodging complaints, local administration issued clearance certificates to Nishan’s mother.
In 2022 (2079 BS), just before their daughter’s wedding, Begnarayan discovered the land had been registered in Nishan’s mother’s name. When they attempted to secure a bank loan, the land was listed under another name, bringing their case to light. The police neglected their complaint while Nishan’s family filed a countercase. Begnarayan recalls that the community had fully supported them by helping with farming activities. However, the court has prohibited both parties from using the land. The Mahto couple has now come to Kathmandu seeking justice and staged a protest at Maiti Ghar on Wednesday. Previously, they participated in protests against high-interest loans and even met the Prime Minister but obtained no relief. Although the Home Minister promised action after meeting them, they remain without justice.
Begnarayan Mahto, protesting at Maiti Ghar, said, “Our assets earned from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia have been lost. It is now difficult to support our family. The government should investigate Nishan’s family’s property thoroughly and uncover the truth.”
Nishan Mainali’s response: Dismissing the allegations as baseless and stating the court has already ruled in their favor, Nishan Mainali said, “No land is in my name, nor have I taken millions from anyone. If that were the case, the police would have arrested me long ago.” He rejected the Mahto family’s accusations, claiming they are deceiving others by filing false claims. He confirmed that the land dispute has been legally resolved in their family’s favor and expressed willingness to withdraw any charges against him with evidence.
