The District Government Attorney’s Office in Kaski has filed charges of money laundering against former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, alongside allegations of misappropriating funds from cooperatives.
According to the office, Lamichhane misused funds from cooperatives for personal and family benefits. Officials claim that such unlawful use of cooperative money amounts to a financial crime under money laundering laws.
The charges include accusations of embezzling NPR 1.35 billion from Suryadarshan Cooperative. The misappropriated funds were allegedly transferred to different accounts and later used for personal purposes.
The charge sheet provides detailed evidence of Lamichhane‘s involvement. It states that NPR 261.4 million from Suryadarshan Cooperative was funneled to Gorkha Media, where Lamichhane served as managing director. Additionally, NPR 7.5 million was transferred to Lamichhane’s personal account via GB Rai’s account, and NPR 5 million was disbursed as an advance in his name.
Further, Lamichhane and his associates are accused of taking NPR 678.7 million from Suryadarshan Cooperative, which was reportedly deposited into their accounts. The charge sheet mentions that approximately NPR 290 million was directly transferred to Lamichhane’s personal account.
The allegations also reveal that Gorkha Media held around NPR 900 million, which prosecutors believe was generated from illegal activities. The government attorney’s office claims that Lamichhane and his associates invested cooperative funds into various companies and properties through close associates, attempting to conceal the origin of the money.
The charge sheet states, “The accused have secretly funneled illicit earnings through their businesses and associates, converting them into assets such as land and buildings.”
The government attorney’s office has also accused Lamichhane and others, including Chhabilal Joshi, Lila Pachhai, and Ram Bahadur Khanal, of organized financial crime. It claims they misused cooperative and central bank regulations to amass illegal wealth.
“Money laundering involves integrating, legitimizing, and circulating illegal earnings through various means,” reads the charge sheet. “It is a serious financial crime aimed at converting illicit assets into legal ones.”
The office emphasizes that earnings, assets, and profits acquired by Gorkha Media, including land and buildings, are directly linked to criminal activities and fall under money laundering charges.
