Businessman Min Bahadur Gurung was one of the 96 persons to be conferred Supraval Janasewa Shree medal by President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Sunday.
Gurung, who has been listed among value-added tax (VAT) defaulters by the government, ironically was honored by President Bhandari for his contribution to business sector. The Revenue Tribunal has already deemed him guilty of tax evasion.
The case of Gurung's Bhatbhateni supermarket started a decade ago. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) had said Bhatbhateni had avoided VAT worth Rs 90 million by making fake bills and asked the supermarket chain to pay that. The IRD also levied fine and interest on the amount.
Gurung appealed the decision with the IRD director general (DG) but the DG also ruled against him. Gurung then moved the Revenue Tribunal against that decision but the tribunal also found Gurung guilty.
The case is sub judice at the Supreme Court for over two years.
Gurung has also recently been accused of transferring ownership of government land in Baluwatar to his name. The Cabinet meeting on March 12 has already taken a decision to bring the land under the government.
The Cabinet has also instructed the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police to investigate on Gurung and others involved in transferring ownership of the government land in Baluwatar.
