Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has told party leaders not to be overly concerned about the situation involving central committee member and former home minister Bal Krishna Khand. Khand is currently under police remand as part of the investigation into the Bhutanese refugees scam.
In a meeting with party leaders closed to Khand at his residence in Dhumbarahi on Tuesday, Deuba assured leaders like Nepal Tarun Dal President Bidwan Gurung that Khand would not be convicted solely based on media reports and police statements. “President Deuba told us that one should not be considered guilty simply because the media and police make allegations,” Gurung told Himal Press.
Deuba also told the leaders that Khand is not a leader driven by a desire for financial gain. “I have worked with Khand for a long time. He is not someone who is motivated by money. It is unfair to label someone as guilty without presenting substantial evidence to support such claims,” Deuba told the leaders
Ten leaders, including Gurung, had reached Deuba’s residence on Monday morning to discuss Khand’s arrest and the Bhutanese refugees scam.
There has been a divergence of opinions among NC leaders regarding the suspension of Khand. The party’s general secretaries, Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma, have been saying that the party should suspend Khand until the investigation into the matter is completed. On the other hand, Joint General Secretary Mahendra Yadav said during the party’s office bearers meeting that no action should be taken against Khand.
In light of party leaders’ demands for the suspension of Khand, Deuba is choosing not to convene the party’s central committee meeting.
Meanwhile, government attorneys are preparing to charge sheet 33 individuals, including 16 already in police custody, on Wednesday. The police have completed their investigation report and submitted it to the District Government Attorney’s Office, Kathmandu.
