KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has approved Rautahat District Court’s decision to remand in custody homicide-accused former Minister Mohammad Aftab Alam until the final verdict in the case.

The apex court upheld the district court’s order to proceed his case by keeping him in custody.

Alam was arrested in connection to a bombing on April 9, 2008.

He is accused of burning to death 23 of his cadres, including 21 Indian nationals, in a brick kiln in Rautahat.

Alam’s cadres were reportedly making a bomb following his order and were injured when the bomb accidentally went off. Seven persons were killed in the explosion.

The District Attorney Office, Rautahat, had filed a case against Alam for production of explosives and offenses related to murder. The case was filed against 11 individuals, including Alam.

Alam had moved Supreme Court after the district court and the high court refused to release him on bail.