In a dramatic turn of events at the High Court Patan, judges Prakash Kharel and Janak Pandey presented conflicting opinions on the fate of former Minister Balkrishna Khand, who is facing charges related to the infamous fake Bhutanese refugee scam.
The division bench struggled to reach a consensus on the next course of action in this high-profile case.
Judge Janak Pandey suggested a controversial move by recommending the release of Khand on bail amounting to Rs three million, thereby challenging the earlier decision made by the Kathmandu District Court.
On the contrary, Judge Prakash Kharel firmly opposed the idea of granting bail to Khand, intensifying the debate within the judicial panel.
Given the stark differences in opinions, the bench proposed the involvement of a third judge to oversee the case, emphasizing the difficulty in reaching a unanimous decision.
The move aims to ensure a fair and thorough examination of the evidence before making any significant rulings.
Meanwhile, the bench upheld the Kathmandu District Court’s decision to remand nine individuals, including former Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, into custody for further investigation into their alleged involvement in the fake Bhutanese refugee scam.
This decision suggests a strong stance by the judiciary in pursuing justice in a case that has captured public attention.
Notably, the court ordered the release of Bhutanese refugee leader Teknath Rijal on bail amounting to Rs 1.5 million. The court justified this decision by highlighting Rijal’s status as a refugee leader residing in Nepal, making him less likely to flee the country during the ongoing investigation.
In addition to Rijal, the bench instructed the release of Sandip Rayamajhi, the son of Top Bahadur Rayamaji, on bail of Rs three million. Haribhakta Maharjan and Sharan KC were granted bail amounts of Rs 1.5 million each. Naresh KC and Shamsher Miya were also asked to pay Rs one million each for their release.
The court further directed the release of Tanka Kumar Gurung, Keshab Tuladhar, Ashish Budathoki, and Laxmi Maharjan on general date, indicating a varied approach to different individuals implicated in the case.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the public awaits the appointment of the third judge and the subsequent developments in this complex and politically charged case of the fake Bhutanese refugee scam.