Nepal’s former Home Minister and Nepali Congress Leader Bal Krishna Khand was arrested on Wednesday for his role in the fake Bhutanese refugee scam.
Apart from Khand, other prominent names in Nepal’s political circles have been allegedly involved in the controversy. This includes former Home Secretary Tek Narayan Pandey and former Security Adviser Indrajit Rai.
Former Deputy PM Bahadur Rayamajhi has been on the run since Thursday after the Kathmandu District Court issued an arrest warrant against him.
Bhutanese Refugee Scam
The Nepalese government has been facing criticism after reports emerged that government officials were forging documents of over 800 Nepalese nationals, allowing them to pose as Bhutanese refugees. The politicians reportedly took large sums of money from Nepalese citizens for the fake documents, allowing them to resettle in the US.
**Fake refugee scam**
— Swarnim Waglé (@SwarnimWagle) May 10, 2023
This grave international crime currently being investigated by Nepal Police must proceed without duress. The world ought to watch: @antonioguterres @FilippoGrandi @SecBlinken @USAmbNepal @PM_nepal_ @SherBDeuba @hamrorabi https://t.co/LGqxUIaOUN
Government officials and political leaders involved in the scam reportedly received millions of rupees from the victims, 400 of whom testified against several powerful politicians. Each victim paid $7,500 to $38,000 to secure the documents to emigrate to the US.
Against this backdrop, audio recordings of conversations between politicians and others in the scam have emerged over the past week. However, the authorities are still verifying the authenticity of the tapes.
The issue was raised before the House of Representatives in Nepal, with opposition leaders demanding an investigation into the scam.
In the 1980s, over 100,000 refugees came to Nepal from Bhutan after a massive ethnic cleansing threat in the Himalayan nation. After Thimphu refused to allow their return, several other countries, including the US, signed a UN-brokered deal and welcomed and resettled over 90,000 refugees.
Civil society members take to the street in Kathmandu, demanding stringent action against those involved in fake Bhutani refugees scam on Wednesday. #Nepal #Corruption pic.twitter.com/vLXRWa4Mki
— Kosh Raj—blue tick goes here (@KoshRKoirala) May 10, 2023
Nepal’s International Image Under Threat
Experts quoted by The Kathmandu Post said the scam would have repercussions beyond Nepal’s domestic circles. The corrupt home ministry will be seen as concerning for its neighbours and political allies, like India and China, who have invested significantly to develop Nepal’s infrastructure.
Former Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey said, “The Home Ministry is taken as a sensitive ministry. Imagine what will happen if India and China come to believe that Nepal can no longer address their legitimate concerns?”
In addition, the FBI has also launched an investigation into the issue.