Kathmandu: Bhutanese refugee leader Teknath Rijal has been granted release on bail on Wednesday following a court verdict related to a case involving a fake Bhutanese refugee scam. Rijal had been held in detention for seven months during the trial, with the High Court Patan issuing an order for his release upon the payment of a bail amount of Rs 1.5 million.

However, due to administrative delays during public holidays, Rijal was unable to deposit the bail amount on time, resulting in an extension of his detention at Sundhara Jail, as reported by Rijal's aide, Bishwonath Chhetri.

Upon his release, Rijal expressed gratitude to all parties involved in supporting him throughout the legal proceedings. Although the bail amount had been deposited on Sunday, the release process was delayed due to public holidays. The court had issued the verdict for Rijal's release a month ago.

As per the court's decision, Rijal is required to appear before the Kathmandu District Court on January 5 for further legal proceedings.

In the same case, former home minister Balkrishna Khand was also released on bail, with a court-set amount of Rs 3 million and an additional Rs 1.5 million at the Department of Anti-Money Laundering. Others released in connection with the case include Sandip Rayamajhi, Narendra KC, Hari Bhakta Maharjan, Shamser Miyan, and Ramsharan KC. However, individuals such as former secretary Tek Narayan Pande, former deputy prime minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, Indrajeet Rai, and others remain in detention.