Kathmandu: In a significant legal development, the Patan High Court is set to hear the dispute involving Nepali Congress leader and former home minister Balkrishna Khand regarding the fake Bhutanese refugees scam on December 14.
A disagreement arose between the two judges overseeing the case, with differing opinions on whether to release Khand from prison on a bail amount of Rs 3 million or to maintain his incarceration. In light of this dissent within the joint bench of Justices Janak Pandey and Prakash Kharel, the court has opted to refer the case to a third bench for a comprehensive hearing on December 14.
The disagreement centered on the order issued by the Kathmandu District Court, which the Patan High Court has partially annulled and partially upheld. This pertains to cases related to fraud, written piracy, crimes against the state, and organized crime.
On December 1, the court handed down rulings in connection with the case, directing the imprisonment of nine individuals, including CPN-UML Secretary and former Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi.
Among the 20 individuals implicated, six were granted release on varying bail amounts, while four were released on their own recognizance. The unfolding legal proceedings underscore the complexity of the case and the judiciary’s meticulous approach in delivering justice.