In a shocking turn of events, former home minister and prominent Nepali Congress leader Bal Krishna Khand has been arrested by the Kathmandu Police Circle on Wednesday. The arrest is directly linked to an extensive fraudulent operation that deceived numerous Nepalis, resulting in the loss of millions of rupees, under the false promise of facilitating their migration to the United States as Bhutanese refugees.
Khand, a highly influential figure within the Nepali Congress party, was apprehended by a team of police officers from his residence in Mainjubahal. His alleged involvement in the scam was brought to light by Tek Narayan Pandey, the current secretary at the vice president’s office and former home secretary, whose revelations led to the arrest of several high-profile individuals.
The arrest of Khand’s personal aide, Narendra KC, further strengthens the case against Khand’s alleged participation in the fraudulent scheme. Both Khand and KC are currently being held at the Metropolitan Police Circle in Teku for further investigation.
With the recent arrests, the total number of individuals detained in relation to the elaborate scam has risen to twelve. Among them is Tek Narayan Pandey himself, who served as a secretary under Khand’s leadership at the Home Ministry. Additionally, on Tuesday, Govinda Chaudhary from Siraha and Ram Sharan KC from Kathmandu were apprehended in the capital city in connection with the case.
The investigation into the fake Bhutanese refugee scam also led to the arrests of other influential individuals with strong political connections. Indrajit Rai, a former security adviser to then home minister Ram Bahadur Thapa, was taken into custody for his active role in facilitating the forgery of documents to aid Nepalis in emigrating to the United States as Bhutanese refugees. Several prime suspects, including Keshav Dulal, Sanu Bhandari, Sagar Thulung Rai, Tanka Gurung, and Sandesh Sharma Pokhrel, were also arrested, highlighting the deep-rooted connections between politics and the fraudulent operation.
However, amidst the arrests, one key figure remains at large. Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, Secretary of the CPN-UML and former deputy prime minister, has been on the run since May 4, following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the Kathmandu District Court for him and his son. While Rayamajhi’s son, Sandeep, has already been apprehended, the search for Rayamajhi continues, intensifying the investigation into the scam and the involvement of high-profile individuals.
The recent extension of custody for eight individuals, who were previously arrested for their alleged roles in the scam, signifies the ongoing nature of the investigation. As authorities delve deeper into the intricate web of corruption surrounding the fake Bhutanese refugee scam, concerns about Nepal’s global image and the need for swift justice have gained momentum.
