KATHMANDU, June 16: In the case of a fake Bhutanese refugee scam, Kathmandu District Court is scheduled to issue an order whether to send the accused to jail or release them on bail on Friday. 

After the defense argument was prolonged, the District Court of Kathmandu, which failed to issue a remand order at the predetermined time, is set to issue a remand order for the 18 arrested individuals.

The proceedings in the bench of Judge Prem Prasad Neupane have concluded with the completion of arguments presented by government attorneys and legal representatives of the 18 accused individuals. On Friday morning, Judge Neupane will proceed to listen to the arguments put forth by the government lawyers before delivering a verdict. The district court has been handling the case involving a fake Bhutanese refugee scam since June 4.

It was said that the order will be made on Tuesday itself. But the defense argument on behalf of the detained individuals in the refugee case was extended. CPN-UML Secretary Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand, along with 18 people are currently under police custody. 

District Court, Kathmandu will now proceed to make a decision regarding their custody, whether to release them on a regular date or send them to jail.

The court may issue distinct orders to the individuals in custody based on their respective roles, involvement, and available evidence. The case will only proceed to court after the remand order is issued on Friday. It will require some time to obtain an order from the district court in relation to the case. In response to the dissatisfactory arrest order issued by the district court, both the accused parties and the government attorney will have the opportunity to appeal to the high court.

12 people involved in the incident are still absconding while 18 people who were arrested on different dates are in custody. Various parties and groups have been protesting at Maitighar saying that the arrested Rayamajhi and Khan, might be granted release orders.

On Thursday, the Human Rights and Peace Society staged a protest in front of the federal parliament building in New Baneshwar, claiming that top leaders from major political parties were involved in the case. Police arrested Krishna Pahadi, the former president of Human Rights and Peace Society and several others as they staged protests in the prohibited areas.

The Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees sought refuge in Nepal due to the oppressive actions of their own government. They resided in different camps in Jhapa for a long period. A plan was established to resettle them in a third country, and consequently, they were relocated to the United States. To address the issue of missing refugees that had resulted in the suspension of the program, a task force was created with the objective of reinitiating the resettlement program.

 
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