KATHMANDU, 8 July, 2026 (TON): A court in Nepal has convicted two former ministers and 21 others in connection with the fake Bhutanese refugee scam, concluding a high-profile case that was formally filed three years ago.
Former minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand were found guilty alongside 21 co-accused. The court ruled that the group falsely claimed Nepali citizens were Bhutanese refugees and promised to facilitate their resettlement in the United States in exchange for money.
Prosecutors had filed multiple charges, including fraud, organised crime and offences against the state, while seeking compensation of approximately 288.4 million Nepali rupees.