KATHMANDU: The Patan High Court has ordered the release of Bal Krishna Khand, a leader of Nepali Congress and former Home Minister, from custody pending trial in the fake Bhutanese refugee case.
The court granted bail to Khand, amounting to Rs 30 lakhs, following a final hearing on Thursday.
This decision upholds the order previously issued by Judge Janak Pandey on December 1.
On that day, a joint bench of Judges Pandey and Prakash Kharel had conflicting opinions regarding whether former Home Minister Khand should be granted bail or kept in detention.
The deadlock led to a subsequent decision by a third judge, Krishna Ram Koirala, resulting in the final hearing on Thursday.
Judge Pandey, while refuting the prosecution’s claims, categorically denied any involvement in the alleged crimes related to the Bhutanese refugee identification.
He expressed bewilderment over the parallel report prepared alongside the one intended to identify the Bhutanese refugees.
During Thursday’s hearing, legal representatives for both sides presented arguments.
Khand’s defense team, including former Attorney General Kham Bahadur Khati, vehemently advocated for upholding Judge Pandey’s order for Khand’s release.
Government lawyers Prem Bahadur Khadka, Gopal Krishna Ghimire, and Bishwanath Khanal argued the opposing viewpoint.
The case involves 30 individuals, including Khan, accused of fraud, racketeering, organized crime, and crimes against the state.
The Patan High Court had previously ordered the release of some defendants.
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