KATHMANDU, June 16: The detention hearing has concluded in the fake Bhutanese refugee scam case. In that case, a total of seven people - five government attorneys and two complainants made responsive pleading.
The District Court of Kathmandu has prepared to issue an appropriate order today itself after the responsive pleading was over. The court debate in the case of fake Bhutanese refugee scam was being carried out from June 4.
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During the hearing on Friday, the lawyers of the accused (defendants) demanded that further investigation into the scam be carried out by freeing the accused while the government lawyers maintained that the investigation should be moved forward by keeping the accused in judicial custody. The government attorneys have argued that if the accused are freed, they could destroy evidence which would in turn affect the investigation.
The police have arrested former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand, former Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, Secretary Tek Narayan Pandey, former Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa's security advisor Indrajit Rai, Bhutanese refugee leader Tek Nath Rijal and 18 others.
A case has been registered against 30 people in the fake Bhutanese refugee scam. The case was registered against them, demanding punishment for fraud, organized crime, forgery and treason. On top of that, in the case of a person holding a public position, thye jail term can be increased by an additional three years. In addition to imprisonment, a fine of Rs 280 million has also been demanded. Twelve people related to this case are still absconding.
