Former Nepal Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi Sentenced to 4 Years in Fake Bhutanese Refugee Scam
Kathmandu court convicts former deputy prime minister in one of Nepal’s largest corruption and organized fraud cases.
A Kathmandu court has sentenced former Nepal Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi to four years in prison in the fake Bhutanese refugee scam, one of Nepal’s biggest corruption cases.
A district court in Kathmandu has sentenced former Nepal Deputy Prime Minister and former Home Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi to four years in prison in the high-profile fake Bhutanese refugee scam, one of the country’s largest corruption cases in recent years.
The court also convicted former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand and several other defendants in connection with the case. According to the verdict, Rayamajhi was fined NPR 40,000, while Bal Krishna Khand was ordered to pay a fine of NPR 20,000. Several other accused individuals were either convicted or acquitted based on the available evidence.
The investigation found that the accused allegedly collected large sums of money by falsely promising Nepali citizens that they would be resettled in the United States as Bhutanese refugees. Authorities said the operation was carried out through an organized fraud network involving brokers and influential individuals.
The court observed that the scam not only violated Nepal’s criminal laws but also damaged the country’s international reputation and exploited vulnerable citizens seeking better opportunities abroad. Considering the seriousness of the offenses, the court imposed prison terms and financial penalties on those found guilty.
The case first came to light in 2023, when Nepal Police launched a major investigation into allegations of fraud, organized crime, forgery, and abuse of public office. Multiple politicians, former government officials, and intermediaries were charged as investigators uncovered new evidence during the probe.
Legal experts say the verdict marks a significant step in Nepal’s fight against corruption and organized financial crimes. The ruling is expected to strengthen public confidence in the country’s judicial system and reinforce accountability for senior public officials.
