GIRI BANDHU TEA ESTATE CASE

  GIRI BANDHU TEA ESTATE CASE [ The substantial diddle of Nepal's history ]

We the genus of IIMS college BCS hons of September intake 2024,we allowance the investigation of GIRI BANDHU TEA ESTATE CASE, the biggest land scam in the Nepal's history. We purposive to provide the detail about the case to college, society and every individual . We hope this blog will be fruitful to know and get the detailed information about the case . The hard work and dedication input by our genus has output and neat result . 

Group components and there roles

1. Kripa Panta [ Team Leader]

   

                                                                      Introduction Writer 

2. Angel Shahi 

                                                            

                                                            Research Background Writer 

3. Pravesh Sapkota

                                                             Research Objectives Writer

4. Nirbishesh Maharjan 

                                                             Research Methodology Writer

5. Nishan Rajbanshi

                                                 Research Findings and Discussion Writer

5. Pratik Maharjan

                                                                     Conclusion Writer

Project chronology for the case of GIRI BANDHU TEA ESTATE CASE BLOG

1. Research And Background Study

Duration >1 week 

Chore> Made a complete research and knew about how the case started ,when was it started? how many people's were involve? the present condition of the case.

2. Data collection and analysis 

Duration>2 weeks

Chore> Collected the most important data ,highlighted the main headlines , analyzed the court decisions, people involved , types of offence convicted.

3. Group discussion and topic division 

Duration> 4 Days

Chore> Submitted the report collected by the team members to the leader and leader handover each topic chore to the members .

4.Final editing

Chore> Made a final editing and correction of the documents ,made sure about the information inputs  .

5. Submission and presentation

Chore> Submitted the final blog in the designed platform itself and made a presentation for the summarization of the case .

                                                                 INTRODUCTION

Giribandhu Tea Estate is a large tea company based in Jhapa, Nepal, The tea estate was founded in 1950s by Shamsher Giri, Tek Bahadur Giri, Padam Bahadur Giri and Bhagawan Giri and has been a family run business since then. The estate is located on either side of the Mahendra Highway, to the east Birtamod a developing city.

The case of GiriBandhu Tea Estate can be traced back to the Rana era when the Ranas announced that anyone who could clear the forest in the terai region would be awarded the land. As a result, Shumsher Giri and Budh Karan Rajbanshi each amassed 500 Bigha of land in 1977 B.S. Later, during King Mahendra’s reign, it was announced that individuals could only own 11 Bigha of land, and any excess land would revert to the government. However, Shumsher Giri, having learned of the announcement before its official release, distributed his 500 Bigha land to his close relatives. Despite this, the Giri family was left with 342 Bigha, which they utilized for tea cultivation. The family’s involvement with the land deepened when Ram Bahadur Giri, Durga Prasai’s brother-in-law, established BEC Hospital on the land designated only for tea cultivation.

Over the years, various political figures and administrations have played roles in the case of GiriBandhu Tea Estate. In 2061 B.S., some of the land was sold for a bus park, and by 2004 AD, attempts to sell more land began, though these were thwarted by leaders like King Gyanendra and Sushil Koirala. The giri family proposed exchanging their valuable land for cheaper village land, but it was during KP Sharma Oli’s first reign as Prime Minister that the family made significant headway.

KP sharma Oli attempted to pass land reform laws that would allow the sale of government land, including that of giri bandhu, which was seen as illegal. This required political support, and although Prachanda and Madhav Nepal initially backed the decision, the party eventually split. When the Gold Scandal involving Prachanda surfaced, there was talk of opening the giri bandhu Tea Estate case, but after an agreement between Prachanda and Oli, the matter was dropped, leaving the controversial dealings unresolved.

                                                  

                                            RESEARCH BACKGROUND

During the Rana’s sovereign, Ranas announced that whoever can cut as many forest as they can in Terai, the land will be theirs” in 1977 B.S. So, Shumsher Giri and Budh.Karan Rajbanshi each had 500 Bigha Land. After that in King Mahendra’s reign, King Mahendra announced that in Terai, people can own only It Bigha land and if they own more than Il Bigha Land the land will go to government.

So, the Eldi Shumsher Giri heard this announcement before it was announced and he distributed 500 Bigha Land to his close relatives. After the distribution. Of lands, there were still 342 Bigha Land left with the Giri. So, they started to use these land for tea cultivation.Durga Prasai was the son-in-law of Giri family and his brother-in-law Ram Bahadur Girl establishedBEC hospital (Bhagwan Giri & Chandra Maya Giri) in the same land which should only be used for tea cultivation: GiriBandhu Tea Estate was not owned by the Giri. Family as it was government land. It cannot be sold nor it can be void for other purposes an except tea cultivation. But, in today’s condition there is only 280 Bigha Land left now and the remaining land is intended. For sale.

In 2061 BS (2004 AD), Tek Bahadur Giri Be Bus Park (Birtamode Bus Park) were sold from the land of GiriBandhu Tea State. During Sher Bahadur Deuba’s position as Prime Minister, 51 Bighas were registered in individual’s name. Now there is only 280 Bigha Land left and the value of the land is 33 Arab 60 Crore. For 20 years, Giri’s have been trying to get permission to sale the land.Rana Gyanendra did not allow Giristo sale the land Sushil Koirala also did not allow Giristo sale the land and Lok Darshan Regmi, the secretary of the Ministry of Land Reform also did not allow. Giri’s to sell the land.

Giri’s also proposed the government to return the same area land in village areas where the price is low.

During the KP Sharma Oli’s first reign, Prime Minister Oli made the decision to grant the land. During this time, the government employees stopped Prime Minister KP Oli as it was an Illegal act with lots of risk.

During the KP Sharma Oli’s second reign, Kedar Neupa the secretary of Ministry of Land was not willing.

So, by the misuse of face power he was relocated and Tek Narayan Pandey took his place. The two duties of Tek Narayan Pandey were:

1) Pass the Land Reform Act

2) Involvement in Bhutanese Refugee Scam.

Tek Narayan Pandey is currently in Jail.

To grant the land for sale, KP Sharma Oli needed support from Prachanda (Pushpa Kamal Dahal) and Madhav Nepal. Both Prachanda (Pushpa Kamal Dahal) and Madhav Nepal had a positive response to this decision. But later, the party split. Five days before the ending of KP Sharma Oli’s reign, he announced a new land reform law in 2078 B’S which allowed individuals like Giri Bandu and around other 100 people to acquire government and in their own names. I which is considered illegal.Rumours said that KP Sharma Oli got benefited from this situation.When the party of KP Sharma Oli, Prachanda (Pushpa Kamal Dahal) and Madhav Nepal got split, the Gold Scandal was emerged and in this Grab Scandal there was involvement of Prachanda (Pushpa Kamal Dahal) but KP Sharma Oli did not allow it.So, after a weeks later Prachanda mentioned opening a file on ‘Giri Bandhu Tea state’ in a program.

After that, there was agreement between them and the Gold Scandal Issue was not investigated anymore by KP Sharma Oli and Pracharda didn’t open the file on GirBandhu Tea State.

                                         

                                                       OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of this blog is to research and provide the truthful detailed information about the GIRI BANDHU TEA ESTATE CASE . This objective will help to know the case , people involved, the land scam, corruption made by the political parties and the weak government .

                                      RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This research was fully concluded through online information .Every information was gathered through secondary source, got our research information through https://kathmandupost.com/ news articles, legal documents, government reports, and research papers available on platforms like Google Scholar and other academic databases. The research relies on information from secondary sources since there was no access to internal documents or firsthand accounts from the tea estate. 

News sources provided a timeline on the scandal, while government and legal documents gave insight into the legal issues involved. Ethical guidelines were followed by using only publicly available information, and limitations were acknowledged balance view of the events was presented because a over 30days of time was taken during the research. Guidelines were followed so that people get there privacy and to avoid giving out false information.  

There were many limitation in this research as bias was seen in the secondary sources due to lack of first hand source. This research was carried over a month so that the findings were accurate and balanced. also this methodology helped us in understanding the case with out any primary sources.

                              FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION WRITER

The struggles in Giribandu form part of broader issues that have been affecting Sri Lanka's plantation sector: labor exploitation, environmental damage, and problems pertaining to governance. These are concerns that several writers and journalists have identified. These include not only authors writing about social problems faced by Sri Lanka, such as Punyakante Wijenaike, but also writers discussing the plantation economies and their impact on South Asia, such as Chandrahas Choudhury. This paper discusses both writers who have written about the exploitation going on in tea estates. Other speakers, such as Jayantha Dhanapala, an author and Sri Lankan diplomat, also spoke about the economic disparities in those industries. Various NGOs and activists, including the Women and Children's Rights Forum, refer to the despicable conditions of work in these estates, child labor, and basic workers' rights, as in the case of Giribandu Estate. Media reports, such as The Sunday Times and BBC News, also highlight worries over low pay, unhealthy working conditions, and environmental impacts, due to bad practices- including the excessive use of pesticides and water contamination. Through these writers and reports, one remembers that laborers-mostly descendants of Tamil workers who were brought to Sri Lanka during the colonial era-are continually suffering. What most of these commentators talk about in general is a call for immediate reforms in labour rights, environment, and governance that would ameliorate both conditions for workers and the long-term viability of tea estates like Giribandu.

     

                                               SELF REFLECTION

Kripa's self reflection 

In most cases, in pursuit of making profits, ethical considerations are almost always neglected or suppressed. And, as I think about the Giribandhu Tea Estate case, I understand how difficult it can be to shot in two targets at the same time, ‘maximum profit’ and ‘minimum cost’. Cutting costs, particularly with labor, has been the most tempting option in the business world, but it is raising questions on employees’ welfare. I wonder: if I was one of the chief leaders, could I have shouldered the responsibility of paying fair wages, providing necessary working conditions, and accepting losses?

Through this case i came to know about the ongoing corruption activities, the corrupted governance of our land, the miss use of the powers .   

In sum, reflecting on the Giribandhu Tea Estate case can lead to a greater commitment to ethical standards and empathy. The lessons drawn here are timeless, applying across professions and life contexts, making this case a valuable guide for those aiming to make responsible, fair, and compassionate decisions.The case highlights the ethical obligation of organizations toward the well-being of their employees and the surrounding community. In the tea industry, which often involves marginalized or vulnerable labor groups, companies have a heightened moral duty to ensure fair treatment, safe working conditions, and respect for labor rights. Reflecting on this aspect invites us to question our own ethical responsibilities in professional life, particularly in scenarios where power dynamics are unevenLegally, companies often have minimal standards to meet, but morally, there may be higher expectations. This case urges a reflection on the role of corporate entities in going beyond the law to foster a responsible and inclusive work environment. It raises the question of how legal compliance aligns (or conflicts) with moral obligations and how we might apply similar thinking in other contexts

Angel's self reflection

The more I think of the Giribandhu Tea Estate case, it moves me not just as a legal, social and public interest issue but also on a level that is emotional and human. Despite being neither a legal professional nor someone with an interest in law, I found it fascinating to see how laws created for the protection of land ownership, workers rights and environmental sustainability do not always work together harmoniously. While reading about the struggles of these labourers, I kept thinking of how unjust it was to have estate owners waging legal battles armed with money and laws against a group of people who were already fighting against an age-old system pushing them into dark corners. But I also knew that the people who get paid just enough to stay alive while working backbreaking hours in tea estates were not unique; plenty of sectors are profiting off low-wage labor. If you give a hoot about social justice, then the first uncomfortable question should be, are you part of this system as a consumer? Lastly, Giribandhu Tea Estate case reminded me of the human stories behind headlines. While the litigation and environmental issues are tentpoles, human lives matter more than anything. As I read about what they have gone through, it gave me a sense of empathy. Looking back at the Giribandhu Tea Estate case will forever fill me with a sense of responsibility to continue fighting for an equitable, sustainable world. This case, ultimately, has left me with more questions than answers but also a stronger sense of urgency for the systemic inequality that makes cases like this possible. Through fair-trade support, local and global engagement in activism or simply awareness, we should do our part to ensure the human aspect (not just economic or legal) is at the centre of each solution.

Pravesh's self reflection

Researching the Giribandhu Tea Estate scandal was a valuable learning experience. It helped me understand how issues like poor management and unfair treatment can seriously affect workers and communities. Since I only had access to information from articles and reports, it was sometimes hard to get the full picture. This taught me the importance of using multiple sources to ensure my information is balanced and accurate.

I also realized how important it is to be careful and ethical when researching sensitive topics. I made sure to respect privacy and avoid making guesses about things I couldn’t confirm. This process showed me how research can bring important issues to light and help others understand them better. Overall, it strengthened my skills in analyzing information and reminded me of the responsibility that comes with handling such topics.

Nirbishesh's self reflection

I have developed greater insight into the exploitative and managerial dynamics of many large industries. This topic made me realize all of the legal and ethical issues facing not only workers, but their wider community linked to a tea estate. My research-his relied solely on secondary sources, making it challenging to get primary perspectives from affected individuals. But it has shown the need of comparing data from a variety of sources to produce a correct, comprehensive analysis

We were also interested to learn about certain ethical responsibilities as a researcher. Such matters were delicate and therefore, it was important to handle them with truthfulness, regard for sensitivity, and without guessing. After doing research and analysis for this project for more than four years, I have come to argue that the end results of such works do not go to waste owing to the fact that readers are encouraged to be critical about the state of the sector.These are all skills that I intend to take with me into my future professional career.

Nishan's self reflection

The scandal at Giribandu Tea Estate was simply an eye-opener to deep-seated problems of exploitation and corruption in the tea industry. What seemed to me at the beginning as a single-issue problem grew into unmistakable proof that the scam formed part of a widespread system of neglect and abuse, particularly of workers who battle unfavorable conditions. But it struck me now afresh, and I was equally guilty in perpetuating those conditions by keeping quiet or doing nothing about it. The real victims of that scam were the workers who suffered not only from economic ills but also from the loss of dignity. The human cost of this mismanagement and corporate greed came before my eyes. The scandal has poignantly demonstrated to me the urgent need for reform in labor rights and corporate accountability. It is not enough that the acts of some are condemned; rather, the structures that allow such exploitation should be addressed. I promise to be more considerate in the future and to contribute to advocating for ethical business and respects for workers' rights. The scandal of the Giribandu Tea Estate taught me a lesson that all of us are bound to raise our voices against injustice and further meaningful change.

Pratik's self reflection

The Giribandhu Tea Estate project was an enriching experience that furthered my knowledge in the tea industry, its socio-economic, and environmental importance. I also researched the process involved in the cultivation of tea leaves, ranging from soil preparation through plucking techniques up to the processing stages so as to ensure quality tea production. This furthered my appreciation for the commitment involved in the farming of teas and how local environmental factors like climate and soil quality affect each and every step. The important thing learned from this project is the influence Giribandhu Tea Estate has on the community it is situated in. Understanding the roles it plays in employment for people and its contribution to workers and their families helped me to gauge industries as strong pillars that help with economic stability and social welfare. This reminded me once again that one needs to balance business goals with the commitment to community development.

 I had various challenges in carrying out this project, especially with regard to organizing a long research finding into a cohesive narrative. This process helped in improving my time management and skills in conducting research, as well as how to present information in a non-technical manner. Additionally, the process has raised awareness of how sustainability practices within the tea industry can maintain ethical and environmentally conscious standards. Therefore, the learning that was derived from the project on Giribandhu Tea Estate brought a lot of expansion in my knowledge regarding sustainable agriculture and positive impacts from responsible industries. It has indeed been an eye-opening journey that has really motivated me further to continue this pursuit of ways business, agriculture, and social responsibility can link together and provide meaningful benefits to communities.

                                              CONCLUSION

In conclusion,Giribandhu tea estate is known as the biggest land scam in the Nepalese history. This land is located in Jhapa, near Birtamode. In this case many Nepali politicians were involved as a result they made a loop hole and converted government land into private land through many corrupted activities. It was never the property of giri family. The land was more than 500 bighs. As mentioned above,this case started since 210 years ago when Rana’s king used to rule the Nepal and this case hasn’t been concluded yet. As in upcoming days things like awareness programs,promoting cyber security etc kind of activities should be in practice and strong actions against these kind crimes should be in practice. The giribandhu tea estate case perfectly captures the complexity of the property ownership and governance in Nepal, which are characterized by a variety of legal conflicts, fluctuating political objectives and difficulties maintaining regulations. Reflecting long-standing problems with Nepal's land reform policy,the tea estate which was once a family tea farming operations,has experienced ongoing influence from politicians and legislative changes regarding the ownership rights. Due to public mistrust created by governance's confusion and irregulatives land mafias have been able to take advantages of weaker communication. As a result,there have been negative social economics and environmental effects.

As last, The Giribandhu Tea Estate case emphasizes the necessity of open ,just land management laws and political responsibility, common law ,public interest, prevention of the policy manipulations etc are the examples which we can learn significantly from this case.

                                                        REFRENCES

       1. https://www.ukaalo.com/

       2. https://ekantipur.com/opinion/2024/05/14/case-study

      3.https://giribanduscandal.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-giri-bandhu-tea-estate-case

                                                       Gallery

                                          Team members during the group photo session

Team members sending their working files

Teams communicating for the report confirmation

 
If you have any question related to this case and this blog you can contact us below mentioned contact details ,
+977 9863037258

+977 9860937481

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