Former Home Minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane will begin his court statement today over allegations of misappropriating cooperative funds. The District Court in Kaski is set to record his statement.
On Sunday, police and the government attorney’s office filed a case against Lamichhane and 30 others based on their earlier statements.
After the statement recording, a hearing (remand debate) will decide whether the accused will be kept in custody, released on bail, or freed on general conditions. The judge will choose one of these options based on the severity of the allegations, available evidence, and the potential impact on the case if the accused is not detained.
Lamichhane has been suspended as a Member of Parliament since the charges were filed. According to Nepal’s law, anyone holding a public position is automatically suspended when charged with money laundering or similar offenses.
The case involves alleged misappropriation of cooperative funds by Gorkha Media Network, co-founded by Lamichhane and other associates, including GB Rai. Funds from cooperatives linked to Rai were reportedly funneled into Gorkha Media Network, which runs Galaxy TV.
Police have accused Lamichhane and his group of embezzling cooperative savings, demanding a recovery of NPR 1.51 billion. They also face charges of organized crime and money laundering, both personally and institutionally through Gorkha Media.
The charges could lead to further investigations in districts like Rupandehi, Chitwan, Kathmandu, and Parsa, as indicated in the charge sheet. GB Rai, a key figure in the case, remains absconding.
