Rayamajhi sent to three-day remand

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu District Court has allowed Nepal Police to keep former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of the House of Representatives, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, in custody for three days for investigation.

Rayamajhi, a four-time parliamentarian and, is allegedly involved in a racket that has swindled tens of millions of rupees out of hundreds of people promising them resettlement in the US as Bhutanese refugees.

Rayamajhi was apprehended by the police on Sunday evening from a residence located in the Pasikot area of Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu. He had been evading arrest since May 3, when an arrest warrant was issued for him. His son Sandeep was arrested on the same day.

In addition to Rayamajhi, police have also arrested 12 other individuals as part of the investigation into the case. A sitting government secretary and a former home minister are among those arrested.

Earlier, the Kathmandu Police Range notified the Federal Parliament Secretariat about Rayamajhi’s arrest. Article 103 (6) of the Constitution of Nepal requires police to immediately notify the parliament secretariat if a member of the House of Representatives is arrested. Moreover, as per Rule 248 (1) of the House of Representatives Regulations, the Speaker has to inform the parliament about the arrest. If the parliament is not in session, the Speaker is required to publish a notice to notify the members about the arrest.

After receiving notification from the police, Speaker Devraj Ghimire informed the House of Representatives about Rayamajhi’s arrest on Monday.