Bhesh Bahadur Thapa

Dr. Bhekh Bahadur Thapa
डा. भेषबहादुर थापा
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 5 March 2004 – 5 July 2005
Monarch	Gyanendra of Nepal
Prime Minister	Surya Bahadur Thapa
Preceded by	Surya Bahadur Thapa
Succeeded by	Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat[1]
Nepalese Ambassador to India[2]
In office 1997–2003
Monarch	Birendra of Nepal
Nepalese Ambassador to USA
In office 1996–1997
Monarch	Birendra of Nepal
In office 1980–1985
Monarch	Birendra of Nepal
Minister of Finance of Nepal
In office 1976–1978
Monarch	Birendra of Nepal
Preceded by	Kirti Nidhi Bista
Succeeded by	Ram Prasad Rajbahak
Fourth Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank
In office 14 August 1966 – 26 July 1967
Monarch	Mahendra of Nepal
Preceded by	Pradyumna Lal Rajbhandari
Succeeded by	Yadav Pant[3]
Personal details
Born	(1937-03-04) March 4, 1937 (age 87) Tanahu district, Nepal
Spouse	Dr. Rita Thapa
Relations	Bhaskar Thapa (son) Manjushree Thapa (daughter) Tejshree Thapa (daughter) Maya Thapa (granddaughter) Barun Thapa (grandson) Rita Thapa (wife)
Alma mater	Claremont University
Signature

Bhesh Bahadur Thapa (Nepali: डा. भेखबहादुर थापा) (also spelled as Bhekh Bahadur Thapa) is a foreign affairs expert and diplomat.[4][2] He is former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal.[1] He was fourth Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank from 14 August 1966 to 26 July 1967.[3] He was Minister of Finance between 1976 and 1978 A.D after serving as State Minister of Finance and Secretary of Finance Ministry. He has twice served as Ambassador to USA (1980–1985 & 1996).^[citation needed] He has served as former Nepalese ambassador to India from 1997 to 2003.[2] He also headed the National Advisory Committee for 18th SAARC summit that was held at Kathmandu in November 2014.[5] Currently, he is working as EPG (Eminent Person's Group) coordinator representing Nepal on reviewing bilateral treaties between India and Nepal.[4]

Personal life

He is married to Dr. Rita Thapa, a public health specialist. He has a son and two daughters. His son Bhaskar Thapa a tunnel engineer was a lead designer of the Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore.[6] His elder daughter Tejshree Thapa, a human rights lawyer, lived in the Netherlands before passing away at the age of 52 in March, 2019.[7] He has two grandsons Barun and Siddhant, through daughter-in-law Sumira Thapa, as well as a granddaughter, aged 19, through Tejshree.[8] His youngest daughter Manjushree Thapa is an English language author.[9]

Controversy

Bhes Bahadur Thapa is a former Foreign Minister of Nepal and a noted diplomat. He has been implicated in several controversies, notably involving the appropriation of public land for personal use. The most prominent case involves allegations that he occupied over two ropanis (approximately 0.25 hectares) of government-owned land in Kathmandu to construct a private residence known as "Bheri Bas Bangla."

Background of the Dispute

Thapa has been accused of seizing public land in Nagarkot, Kathmandu, and registering it under his name for private use. This controversy came to light in 2024. Reports suggest that over two ropanis and 11 aana of government land were registered in Thapa's name.

Key Events

1.Encroachment of Public Land - Thapa allegedly transferred ownership of over two ropanis of government land into his name. - The disputed land is the site of a private bungalow named "Bheri Bas Bangla." 2.Role of the Land Revenue Office - The process of registering the land reportedly involved collusion with officials from the Land Revenue Office and Survey Department. - Key documents related to the land registration decision are said to have gone missing from the Land Revenue Office. 3.Thapa's Response - Thapa has publicly denied the allegations, stating that he is open to land measurement and verification by the Land Revenue and Survey Departments. He remarked, "I have not taken even an inch of government land." 4.Role of Government Agencies - Despite multiple investigations and reports by government agencies, no substantial action has been taken so far. - Judicial orders regarding the case remain unimplemented.

Significant Reports on the Dispute

Several media outlets have reported on Thapa's land dispute. Notable reports include:

1.Center for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) Nepal: - "In Kathmandu alone, 5,000 individuals have encroached on 1,800 ropanis of public land." - Source: [CIJ Nepal][10] 2.Ukeraa: - "Former Foreign Minister Bhes Bahadur Thapa appropriated over two ropanis of public land but claims 'no knowledge.'" - Source: [Ukeraa News][11] 3. Sidha Kura: - "Bheri Bas Bangla Case: Documents related to Thapa's land registration decision missing from Land Revenue Office." - Source: [Sidha Kura][12]

Impact of Land Encroachment

This case has highlighted the issues of public property protection and procedural lapses in Nepal. It has exposed potential corruption and irregularities involving high-ranking individuals and government agencies.

Current Status

The judicial resolution of this dispute remains pending. Reports indicate that court orders have not been implemented, and government investigations have stalled. Bhesh Bahadur Thapa continues to maintain his innocence in public statements.

References

1. "Former Minister List". mofa.gov.np. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
2. Republica. "My Republica – There has been no effort to reach out to outside world". myrepublica.com. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
3. "Nepal Rastra Bank - Central Bank of Nepal". www.nrb.org.np. Archived from the original on 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2019-04-15.
4. "You are being redirected..." thehimalayantimes.com. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
5. "Periodic conflicts between India, Pakistan have not helped Saarc". ekantipur.com. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
6. "Book compiles late Thapa's works on tunnel engineering". ekantipur.com. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
7. Lak, Daniel. "Tejshree Thapa: fierce advocate for justice".
8. "Nepali Times – The Brief  » Blog Archive  » Bhaskar Thapa, 49". www.nepalitimes.com. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
9. "You are being redirected..." thehimalayantimes.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
10. "In Kathmandu alone, 5,000 individuals have encroached on 1,800 ropanis of public land". np.cijnepal.org. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
11. "Former Foreign Minister Bhes Bahadur Thapa appropriated over two ropanis of public land but claims 'no knowledge.'". ukeraa.com. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
12. "Bheri Bas Bangla Case: Documents related to Thapa's land registration decision missing from Land Revenue Office". sidhakura.com. Retrieved 26 January 2025.