KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 1
Judges presented differing opinions regarding the case of former Minister Balkrishna Khand, who faces charges for his involvement in the notorious fake Bhutanese refugee scam.
A division bench of the High Court in Patan, consisting of Judges Prakash Kharel and Janak Pandey, encountered conflicting views over further decisions to be made in the case. Judge Pandey suggested releasing Khand on bail of Rs three million by overturning the decision of the Kathmandu District Court, while Judge Kharel opposed granting him bail.
The bench proposed assigning a third judge to the case, citing an inability to reach a consensus on the matter. Similarly, the bench upheld the verdict of the Kathmandu District Court to remand nine individuals, including former Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, into custody for further investigation into the case.
The detention of government secretary Tek Narayan Pandey, Indrajeet Rai, Keshav Dulal, Angtawa Sherpa, Sanu Bhandari, Sagar Rai, Govinda Kumar Chaudhary aka Bikram, and Sanjaya Sharma is to be extended for further investigation.
The court ordered the release of Bhutanese refugee leader Teknath Rijal on bail of Rs 1.5 million, stating that as a refugee leader, Rijal resides in Nepal and is unlikely to leave the country, suggesting no need to keep him in custody during the investigation, according to court spokesperson Tirtha Raj Bhattarai.
The bench instructed the release of Sandip Rayamajhi, the son of Top Bahadur Rayamaji, on bail of Rs three million, and Haribhakta Maharjan and Sharan KC on bail of Rs 1.5 million each. Naresh KC and Shamsher Miya have been asked to pay Rs one million for bail for their release.
Tanka Kumar Gurung, Keshab Tuladhar, Ashish Budathoki, and Laxmi Maharjan are to be released on a general date.