KATHMANDU: The High Court judges at Patan are divided in their stance regarding the release of former Home Minister Balkrishna Khand on bail or continuing his imprisonment.

Judge Prakash Kharel supported upholding the district court’s decision to keep Khand in custody for preliminary investigations. Conversely, Judge Janak Raj Pandey advocated for Khand’s release on bail. The divergent opinions in the division bench prompt further discussion from the beginning.

In a separate ruling today, a joint bench comprising Judge Kharel and Pandey ordered the release on bail of Bhutanese refugee leader Teknath Rijal, setting a bond of Rs 1.5 million.