Bhutanese refugee scam : Apex Court orders to keep those accused in custody

KATHMANDU, APRIL 26: The Supreme Court has issued a stay order regarding the ruling of the Patan High Court to detain seven individuals, including CPN (UML) leader Top Bahadur Rayamazhi and former secretary Teknarayan Pandey, as suspects in the fake Bhutanese refugees scam. A bench comprising Justices Kumar Regmi and Tek Prasad Dhungana yesterday rejected the bail petitions of the accused, which included Dr. Indrajit Rai, advisor to former Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa, and the main accused in the Bhutanese refugee case, Keshav Prasad Dulal, Sanu Bhandari, Sagar Rai, and Sandesh Sharma.

Rayamajhi and others had filed an appeal with the Supreme Court challenging the orders issued by the Kathmandu District Court and the Patan High Court, which had earlier remanded them to custody for investigation.

However, the Court granted bail to Nepali Congress leader Angtawa Sherpa. Furthermore, it overturned the Patan High Court’s decision to detain Jima Sherpeni, Tenji Puti Sherpeni, Pemwa Sherpa, Jima Sherpa, Lamdopa Sherpa, and Soni Sherpa. Govind Kumar Chaudhary was also ordered to be released on bail. Additionally, the Supreme Court instructed the release of Shamsher Miyan, the former Chair of the Central Haj Committee, on a general date.