Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli Wednesday met with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at his office following indications that several high-profile leaders could be arrested for their involvement in the fake Bhutanese refugee scam.
The discussion between the two senior leaders, however, has raised concerns from Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha that the ongoing investigation may be influenced.
Oli became concerned after an arrest warrant was issued for UML Secretary Top Bahadur Rayamajhi. During the meeting with Dahal, Oli expressed suspicion about the arrest of Rayamajhi and warned that others could also be pulled into various cases. He also informed Dahal that the UML was investigating whether Rayamajhi was involved in the scam or was being framed. He also raised the possibility that Rayamajhi was being targeted to even the score.
Rayamajhi, who was a Maoist leader before Maoist Center and CPN-UML merged to form Nepal Communist Party (NCP), had chose to stay with UML following the split of NCP.
Following the meeting between Oli and Dahal, Home Minister Shrestha held consultations with leaders close to him to discuss whether efforts were being made to interfere with the ongoing investigation into the fake Bhutanese refugees scam. Maoist leaders close to Shrestha say he remains committed to seeing the investigation through to its conclusion come what may.
The home minister is of the opinion that certain political leaders and high-ranking government officials are attempting to influence the investigation after the police made preparations to arrest them.
During Oli’s tenure as prime minister, the home ministry had formed a committee led by Joint Secretary Bal Krishna Panthi to prepare a report on Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal. The committee submitted its report to the home ministry. The report, however, was not made public. The scammers inserted the names of hundreds of Nepalis in the list of Bhutanese refugees awaiting their country re-settlement.
Because of this, Home Minister Shrestha believes that Oli may be working to influence the ongoing investigation.
The police have already issued an arrest warrant for UML Secretary Top Bahadur Rayamajhi. His son Sandip was arrested in Butwal on Wednesday night. The police have secured a three-day remand for Sandeep to investigate.
Police investigations have revealed that amounts ranging from Rs 1-5 million were raised from 875 people, promising to send them to the US as Bhutanese refugees.
In connection with the ongoing investigation, the police arrested Tek Narayan Pandey, secretary at the Office of the Vice President, from Bhaktapur on Wednesday. Pandey served as Home Secretary for 15 months until September 18, 2022.
Earlier, police also arrested Indrajit Rai.Rai was security adviser to UML leader Ram Bahadur Thapa when he was at the helm of the home ministry. Similarly, an arrest warrant has also been issued for Rai’s son Niraj.
Police had earlier arrested Keshav Dulal, Sanu Bhandari, Sagar Thulung Rai, Tanka Gurung and Sandesh Sharma Pokharel for investigation after complaints were filed against them. Rai and Pandey were arrested on the basis of statements given by them, according to SSP Dan Bahadur Karki.
The police are planning to prosecute them under organized crime charges.
