Arrest warrant issued against UML Secretary Top Bahadur Rayamajhi

KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu District Court has given approval to the Nepal Police to arrest CPN-UML Secretary Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and his son Sandeep for investigation into a fraud case. Rayamajhi, who is also a sitting lawmaker, will be automatically suspended once he is arrested.

According to Ekram Giri, the spokesperson for the Federal Parliament Secretariat, the suspension process will begin once police notify the secretariat about his arrest. If Rayamajhi is absconding, he will also be suspended upon notification from the police. As per Rule 248 (1) of the House of Representative Regulations, Speaker Devraj Ghimire will announce the House of the arrest. If the parliament is not in session, a notice will be issued to inform the members about the suspension.

Earlier on the day, police arrested Tek Narayan Pandey, Secretary of the Office of the Vice President, suspecting his involvement in the case. Police have made about half a dozen arrests for investigation against a racket that swindled millions of rupees from hundreds of people by promising to send them to the US under the guise of Bhutanese refugees.

Police also arrested Indrajit Rai, security adviser to former home minister Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’, Keshav Dular, Sanu Bhattarai, Tanka Kumar Gurung, Sagar Rai, and Sandesh Sharma earlier for their alleged involvement in the case.