KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has issued a mandamus order directing the government to grant exit permits to Bhutanese refugees seeking third-country resettlement.

A joint bench of Justices Sunil Kumar Pokharel and Shrikant Paudel ruled that the concept of “overstay” fees under the Immigration Act does not apply to refugees.

The decision followed a petition by Roshan Basnet from the Beldangi camp who was denied departure despite having travel documents from Canada.

The court emphasized that once registered, a refugee’s status remains valid regardless of ID renewal, and the government must provide permits within seven days of receiving official documents.