CPN-UML suspends Top Bahadur Rayamajhi over allegations of involvement in Bhutanese refugee scam

Rayamajhi, who is also a lawmaker and former minister, has been on the run since an arrest warrant was issued by the Kathmandu District Court to aid the police investigation into the scam.

Minister for Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Top Bahadur Rayamajhi. Photo: NL Today

NL Today

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Kathmandu: The CPN-UML has suspended Top Bahadur Rayamajhi from his position as party secretary, following accusations of his involvement in a Bhutanese refugee scam.

Rayamajhi, who is also a lawmaker and former minister, has been on the run since an arrest warrant was issued by the Kathmandu District Court to aid the police investigation into the scam.

In a press statement, the General Secretary of the party, Shankar Pokharel, announced the decision to suspend Rayamajhi from his post.

Police have already arrested 11 accused for their involvement in sending people to the United States as Bhutanese refugees.

Earlier today, Nepali Congress leader and former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand was arrested in alleged connection to creating fake Bhutanese refugees.

The fake Bhutanese refugee scam has created a ruckus in Nepal’s parliament and the streets.  The government and the top political parties are blamed for trying to protect the guilty instead of helping the law enforcement agencies to investigate the case impartially. 

Experts have warned that Nepal’s failure to investigate the case impartially and bring the guilty to book will have a huge setback in its international image.