KATHMANDU, MAY 14

Police today arrested former deputy prime minister and CPN-UML leader Top Bahadur Rayamaji on charge of sending Nepalis to the USA in the guise of Bhutanese refugees.

Police sources said that special bureau of Nepal Police Headquarters arrested Rayamajhi from Budhanilkantha area in Kathmandu on Sunday evening.

Earlier, District Court Kathmandu had issued arrest warrants against CPN UML Secretary Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and his son Sandeep on allegations of their engagement in illegally sending Nepalis to the USA in the guise of Bhutanese refugees row.

According to the police, Rayamajhi--who had been on the run since the issuance of the arrest warrant--entered Kathmandu on Saturday. He was arrested from a Pasikot-based residence.

The Kathmadu District Court today has directed to keep those arrested in this matter in police custody for four days.

Names of political personnel and government officials have surfaced for their alleged involvement into the row. The development has stirred the Nepali political scene with pressure mounting on the incumbent government to arrest and probe all those involved in the crime.