Pratik Thapa Released from Custody in Refugee Scam Case

Kathmandu. Former Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’'s son Pratik Thapa has been released from custody after being presented before the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority and the Department of Money Laundering Investigation after his release from prison. He was presented before the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority and the Department of Money Laundering Investigation on Wednesday.

An official from the Department of Money Laundering Investigation told Ratopati that Pratik Thapa was released on the condition of appearing when summoned.

He was in custody at the Central Jail for his role in the Bhutanese refugee case. Thapa was released from custody on Wednesday as per the verdict of the Kathmandu District Court.

Central Jailer Krishna Chapagain told Ratopati that he was released as per the court's verdict and presented before the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority and the Department. He said, ‘We received letters from both bodies.’

Although presented in a corruption-related case, Thapa was released on bail by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority after it was found that he did not hold public office.

Among the 30 people charged in the case of fraud in the name of sending people to America under the quota of Bhutanese refugees, seven including Pratik were acquitted. Ramsharan KC, Tankakumar Gurung, Sandeep Rayamajhi, Pratik Thapa, Laxmi Maharjan, Keshab Tuladhar and Ashish Budhathoki were acquitted.

Based on the investigation conducted by the District Police Complex Kathmandu, the public prosecutor filed a charge sheet against the accused in the court in Jestha 2080. Eight people who were absconding since the filing of the charge sheet are still absconding even after the verdict of the case.