KATHMANDU, May 22: The police have got permission to keep in judicial custody the 16 persons arrested in connection with a fake Bhutanese refugee scam for three more days.

Superintendent of Police at District Police Range Kathmandu, Sitaram Rijal, said on Sunday that the district court gave order to keep them in judicial custody for three days. 

Today is the 56th day the investigation on the scam has begun. Those investigated ones should be sued within 60 days of the beginning of investigation.

Police have completed recording the preliminary statement of 16 accused and arrested ones, including the former ministers and sitting government secretary.

Those arrested in this connection are former deputy prime minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, former home minister Bal Krishna Khand, suspended secretary (former home secretary) Tek Narayan Pande, security advisor to former home minister, Dr Indrajit Rai and others.

Similarly, others arrested regarding the scam are Bhutanese refugee leader Teknath Rijal, Chairman of Nepal Haj Committee, Samsher Minya, former lawmaker Angtawa Sherpa, personal secretary of then home minister, Narendra KC, son of former Deputy Prime Minister, Sandip Rayamajhi, Keshav Dulal, Sanu Bhandari, Sandesh Sharma, Sagar Rai, Tanka Gurung, Govind Chaudhary and Ram Sharan KC.

However, Pratik, son of former home minister Ram Bahadur Thapa, and Niraj, son of Indrajit Rai, have been absconding. Investigation into the arrested ones is underway on organized crime and fraud.

As many as 106 victims had lodged complaints against them, arguing that the gang duped them of over Rs 230 million.

 
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