Fake Bhutanese Refugee Case: Court extends custody of 14 accused by 3 days

KATHMANDU, May 17: District Court Kathmandu has extended custody of the 14 people involved in the fake Bhutanese refugee case by 3 days. District Police Range Kathmandu has informed that the court has extended custody of those arrested in the case including former Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and former Home Minister Balkrishna Khand by 3 days for investigation.

The district government attorney's office had instructed the police to submit the investigation report on the fake Bhutanese refugee case by Wednesday evening. District Government Attorney's Office Chief Achyutmani Neupane had given this instruction on May 14. However, the investigation report was not submitted in the given time and the police have taken 3 days from the court to investigate the case.

On the 26th of March, 2023, the police arrested Keshav Dulal, Tanka Gurung of Panchthar, and Sanu Bhandari of Lalitpur. Following that, Sagar Rai of Morang was also arrested on March 29.

Till now 14 people, including former Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, former Home Minister Balkrishna Khand, and the Secretary of the Office of the Vice President Tek Narayan Pandey, have been detained in this case.

Police are investigating organized crime and fraud cases against them. There is a legal provision to register a case in court within 60 days for organized crime. 

On the 54th day since the investigation began, the police made all 14 people appear in court.

Former Assembly member, Angtawa Sherpa, surrendered on Monday and the court permitted the police to detain him for 2 days on Tuesday. Sherpa's statement is being taken.

According to an officer involved in the investigation, the investigation report has reached its final stage. According to the officer, Angtawa Sherpa's statement is being taken and the opinion of the investigation report is being written.