Former Deputy Prime Minister and CPN-UML leader Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, who was convicted in the fake Bhutanese refugee case, has been released from prison. He was freed from Dillibazar Prison on Thursday morning following an order from the Kathmandu District Court.

Rayamajhi, aged 65, was granted a reduction in his prison sentence under the Senior Citizens Act. On Ashar 30, the Kathmandu District Court had convicted him of fraud, organized crime and offences against the state, sentencing him to a total of four years in prison and a fine of Rs 40,000.

According to Section 12 of the Senior Citizens Act, 2063, senior citizens who have completed 65 years of age but are below 70 can receive up to a 25% reduction in their prison sentence. Rayamajhi was released after receiving the applicable reduction under this provision.

He had been in prison since Baisakh 31, 2080.