UML secretary Rayamajhi arrested over fake refugee case

Kathmandu: Former minister and CPN (UML) secretary Top Bahadur Rayamajhi has been arrested over the case that involved sending Nepalis to the United States of America as fake refugees.

Rayamajhi, who is also the member of federal parliament from Arghakhanchi, has been arrested from Butwal. According to the police source, preparations are underway to transport him to Kathmandu.

Rayamajhi was arrested on the basis of initial statement from the then Home Secretary Tek Narayan Pandey. Pande was also arrested in connection with the same case.

Earlier on Wednesday evening, Rayamajhi’s son Sandeep was arrested from Butwal as well. Sandeep was found to have received a cheque of Rs 1 crore rupees in connection with the case.  He is being brought to Kathmandu and is likely to appear before the court today.

The arrest was made following the arrest warrant against Rayamajhi and his son from the District Court of Kathmandu.

Police investigation has revealed that the political leaders, including Rayamajhi, colluded with the gang that collected 1 million to 5 million from 875 Nepalis each on the pretext of sending them to America as Bhutanese refugees.

The gang comprised Indrajit Rai, security advisor to the then Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa. Rai’s son Niraj, Keshav Prasad Dulal, Sandesh Sharma, Sanu Bhandari, Ashok Pokharel, Sagar Thulung Rai and Tanka Gurung were also active in gang.

Rayamajhi had earlier said that he had close relations with Dulal, Bhandari and Pokharel and had ‘unknowingly’ supported their plans.