Nepal - The
conclusion of a thorough investigation has identified Indrajit Rai, the
security advisor to former Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Top
Bahadur Rayamazhi, as the main orchestrator behind a scheme involving the
extortion of millions of Nepali citizens. The plan involved presenting
individuals as Bhutanese refugees and sending them to
Research officers have
determined that the government initiated a fund collection campaign on June 30,
2076, under the leadership of former joint secretary Balkrishna Panthi. The aim
was to find permanent and long-term solutions to the Bhutanese refugee issue, which
had been a long-standing concern.
According to a District
Police Complex officer involved in the investigation, Teknath Rizal, the leader
of Bhutanese refugees, had repeatedly submitted petitions to the ministry, urging
them to address the refugee problem and provide a sustainable solution.
Officials are now in the
process of forming a task force to study the matter and devise a plan for the
remaining 6,577 refugees in Jhapa and Morang. However, concerns have arisen as
it appears that the fundraising campaign had already commenced before the task
force was established, as stated by an officer familiar with the investigation.
The investigation reveals
that while refugee leader Rizal and others were advocating for proactive
measures to address the issue, Rayamazhi and Rai were looking for opportunities
to manipulate the situation. Rai sought initial investment and connected with
Sanu Bhandari from Lalitpur Dhapakhel, who happened to be Top Bahadur's
neighbor and worked for Nepal Satellite Telecom Company.
Bhandari, in his statement to
the police, admitted to receiving money from Rayamazhi and providing financial
assistance to various individuals, including Prateek Thapa (son of Ram Bahadur
Thapa 'Badal'), Badal's wife Nainkala, and others. The investigation further
revealed that Rayamazhi approached Keshav Dulal, who had previously worked as a
personal assistant to Congress leader Sujata Koirala during her tenure as the
foreign minister.
Bhandari disclosed that he
and Dulal collected a sum of NPR 5.5 million from 50 people and handed it over
to Indrajit Rai. The funds were acquired by selling Bhandari's properties in
Thali. Bhandari admitted to delivering the collected amount to Rai through
various locations, including the Himalaya Hotel in Kupandol and Angan
Restaurant.
The investigation also
highlights the involvement of Sandesh Sharma, who collected funds from
individuals in Dang on behalf of CPN-UML student politics. It was discovered
that Sharma received the money through Gajendra Budhathoki, who claimed he
would distribute the funds to the designated recipients. However, upon
receiving a complaint, Sharma followed Dulal's instructions to escape to
The investigation raises
serious questions about the unethical practices employed by individuals
entrusted with public responsibilities. As the case unfolds, additional names, including
those of Arju Rana (wife of Sher Bahadur Deuba) and Manju (wife of Balkrishna
Khan), have been mentioned.
The ongoing investigation
aims to bring those involved in the extortion scheme to justice, ensuring that
responsible individuals are held accountable for their actions. It serves as a
reminder of the importance of upholding ethical conduct and integrity within
public office to protect the trust and welfare of the citizens they serve.
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