Rijal Granted Bail, Rayamajhi Remains in Custody, Bench Divided on Khand

The Patan High Court has granted bail to exiled pro-democracy Bhutanese leader Tek Nath Rijal on Friday, amidst the ongoing investigation into the fake Bhutanese refugees scam. The joint bench of judges, comprising Janak Pandey and Prakash Kharel, delivered the verdict after hearing various petitions filed by 20 defendants challenging the Kathmandu District Court’s decision to send them to judicial custody.

Patan High Court Spokesperson Tirtha Raj Bhattarai confirmed that the court ordered the release of Tek Nath Rizal on a bail amount of Rs 1.50 million. However, the bench directed CPN-UML leader Top Bahadur Rayamajhi to remain in judicial custody, along with former secretary Tek Narayan Pandey, Sanu Bhandari, and Keshav Dulal.

The judges expressed differing opinions regarding the release of former home minister and Nepali Congress leader Bal Krishna Khand. While Judge Janak Pandey recommended releasing Khand on bail with an amount of Rs 3 million, Judge Prakash Kharel argued for Khand to be kept in custody. Another bench is expected to make the final decision on Khand’s bail.

Furthermore, Khand’s personal secretary Narendra KC and president of Nepal Hajj Committee Shamsher Miya have been granted bail, set at Rs 1 million each. Rayamajhi’s son Sandeep is set to be released on bail of Rs 3 million, and Ram Sharan KC on Rs 1.50 million.

The bench also ordered the release of Laxmi Maharjan and Ashish Budathoki. While the Kathmandu District Court had initially set Maharjan’s bail at Rs 500,000, the Patan High Court decided to release her.

The case involves a total of 30 individuals named as defendants by the District Government Attorney’s Office (DGAO), Kathmandu, with 20 already under arrest and 10 still at large. The DGAO had filed charges of fraud, organized crime, forgery, and offenses against the state on May 24, based on a police investigation report.

Previously, the Kathmandu District Court had ordered the judicial custody of 17 defendants and released three on bail. The 20 defendants appealed the decision, leading to the current hearings at the Patan High Court.

As of now, individuals such as Keshav Dulal, Sanu Bhandari, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, Tek Narayan Pandey, Bal Krishna Khand, and others are in judicial custody, with the legal process unfolding to determine the fate of those involved in the alleged fake Bhutanese refugees scam.