Kathmandu, June 16
Kathmandu District Court has ordered 16 people, including former ministers Bal Krishna Khand and Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, and secretary Tek Narayan Pandey, who are on trial in the fake Bhutanese refugee scam, to be remanded in custody.
The court gave its verdict after hearing the case for two weeks.
Similarly, the court ordered the release of Tanka Kumar Gurung and Laxmi Maharjan on bail of Rs 1 million and Rs 500,000, respectively.
Friday’s order, however, is not the final decision of the case. Those who are not satisfied with the District Court’s order can go to a higher court.
Until a new order is issued by the court, former Deputy Prime Minister Rayamajhi, former Home Minister Khand, then Home Minister’s Security Adviser Indrajit Rai, and Secretary Tek Narayan Pandey will remain in custody.
Keshav Dulal and Sanu Bhandari, Bhutanese rights leader Tek Nath Rizal, Sagar Rai, Sandesh Sharma, Toph Bahadur’s son Sandeep Rayamajhi, Narendra KC, Govind Chaudhary, Ram Sharan KC, former assembly member Angtawa Sherpa, Chairman of Haj Committee Shamsher Mia and Haribhakta Maharjan will also remain in custody.
The court will only proceed with the hearing and discussion of the two accused who are currently on the run once they appear before the court.
