Former Deputy PM Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and Former Home Minister Balkrishna Khand Convicted in Fake Bhutanese Refugee Case

Kathmandu. The political future of former Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and former Home Minister Balkrishna Khand is in question after they were convicted in the sensational fake Bhutanese refugee case. According to the verdict pronounced by the Kathmandu District Court on Monday, former Deputy Prime Minister Rayamajhi has been convicted of crimes against the state, fraud, and organized crime among the defendants. Former Home Minister Khand has been convicted as an accomplice (accomplice) in the same crime.

According to Section 13, Sub-section (d) of the House of Representatives Election Act, 2074, a person convicted of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude is not eligible to contest elections. According to the Organized Crime Prevention Act, 2070, those who commit such offenses are subject to 50 percent additional punishment compared to other ordinary crimes. As the court has convicted them, a serious question has arisen regarding the political future of Rayamajhi and Khand. However, as there is a legal path to the Supreme Court for review, the defendants will have the opportunity to seek acquittal. The Kathmandu District Court administration has stated that the hearing regarding the jail sentence for them will take place on Asar 29.