KATHMANDU: The Patan High Court has concluded the hearing of the appeal petition for the accused in custody pending trial in the case of the fake Bhutanese refugee.

The bench, comprised of judges Prakash Kharel and Janak Pandey, finalized the proceedings on Thursday. The court is set to deliver its verdict on Friday.

Previously, Nepali Congress leader Balkrishna Khand, CPN-UML leader Top Bahadur Rayamazhi, former home secretary Teknarayan Pandey, and 20 others were placed in pre-trial detention by the Kathmandu District Court.

They face charges related to allegedly facilitating the transportation of Nepali individuals to America by creating false Bhutanese refugee identities.

In response to the Kathmandu District Court’s decision, the accused filed an appeal with the Patan High Court.

The court wrapped up the hearing on this appeal on Thursday, and the final judgment is anticipated on Friday.