Former CNI President Bishnu Agrawal Seeks Rs 354 Million in Damages From Beemapost
Kathmandu – Former President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and businessman Bishnu Prasad Agrawal has filed a defamation lawsuit against Beemapost, seeking Rs 350 million in compensation.
The case, filed at the Kathmandu District Court, names Rheinische Media and Research Center, the parent company of Beemapost and the publication’s editor, Nabaraj Neupane, as defendants. Agrawal is also seeking an additional Rs 4 million to cover legal expenses, bringing the total claim to Rs 354 million.
The lawsuit stems from two separate news reports published by Beemapost. One related to alleged customs duty and VAT evasion, while the other questioned the quality of Seres vehicles and raised concerns over alleged consumer deception. Agrawal claims the reports caused significant reputational and business damage.
According to the filing, MAW Vridhi Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., represented by directors Bishnu Prasad Agrawal and Bibek Sikaria, is seeking Rs 100 million in damages along with Rs 1.5 million in legal costs.
In a separate claim, MAW Vridhi Motors Pvt. Ltd., where Agrawal and Sikaria also serve as directors, has sought Rs 250 million in compensation and an additional Rs 2.5 million in legal fees.
Ironically, tax clearance documents submitted by the plaintiffs reportedly show that MAW Vriddhi Motors Pvt. Ltd. had no business turnover, no income, no expenditure, and no profit up to the end of the fiscal year 2023/24. Despite this, the company has claimed Rs 354 million in damages against Beemapost.
The lawsuit has also drawn attention because Nepal’s media laws generally require aggrieved parties to first seek a correction or rebuttal from the concerned media outlet. If dissatisfied with the response, they may then approach the Press Council Nepal for redress. Instead of following that route, Agrawal and Sikaria, on behalf of MAW Vridhi Commercial Vehicles, directly filed a defamation case before the Kathmandu District Court seeking monetary compensation.