Former Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi Released from Jail Under Senior Citizen Concession

Former Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi has been released from prison on Thursday after receiving a reduction in his jail sentence under provisions granting senior citizens a 25% concession on their prescribed imprisonment. Rayamajhi, who was serving his sentence at Dilli Bazar Prison in connection with the fake Bhutanese refugee scam, was handed over to a family member on Thursday morning, according to police officials. He was arrested on May 3, 2023 (Baisakh 20, 2080). The Kathmandu District Court had sentenced him to a total of four years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs. 40,000 for his involvement in fraud, organized crime, and offenses against the state. The court's sentencing included two years of imprisonment and a Rs. 20,000 fine for fraud, three years and a Rs. 30,000 fine for organized crime, and one year and six months for offenses against the state, along with an additional six months of imprisonment under the same offense. The combined sentence was determined to be four years, with a total fine of Rs. 40,000. However, under the legal provision allowing senior citizens to receive a 25% reduction in their prescribed prison term, Rayamajhi became eligible for early release.