The Office of the Government Attorney in Kaski has filed a case against Rabi Lamichhane and several others at the District Court in Kaski. The charges include cooperative fraud and money laundering.
Allegations of Cooperative Fraud
According to the complaint filed in the District Court, Rabi Lamichhane and his group are accused of defrauding cooperative societies. It is alleged that they misappropriated funds from various individuals’ accounts for personal gain. Specifically, Rabi is charged with defrauding NPR 3.37 million from Suryadarshan Cooperative through a check made out in his name. Rabi has denied any involvement in this fraud.
Additionally, the group is accused of withdrawing a total of NPR 151 million from different cooperative institutions and defrauding organizations like Gorkha Media. The charges are based on Section 122 (त) of the Cooperative Act, 2074, which penalizes activities that harm cooperative institutions.
Charges of Organized Crime
Rabi Lamichhane, a former Home Minister and President of the National Independent Party, is also facing allegations of organized crime. Under Nepal’s laws, if three or more people plan and execute a crime together, they can face additional penalties. For organized crimes, the court can impose up to 50% more prison time.
In Rabi’s case, the government attorney is seeking an additional five years in prison under the Organized Crime Prevention Act, 2070, bringing the total potential sentence to 15 years if convicted.
Money Laundering Accusations
Besides fraud, Rabi is also charged with money laundering, accused of illegally earning NPR 28 million. Under Section 30 of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2064, those found guilty can face fines and imprisonment ranging from two to fifteen years.
Legal Proceedings and Penalties
The government attorney’s office is not seeking separate sentences for the different charges. Instead, they are requesting an integrated punishment under the Muluki Criminal Code, 2074. This means that if Rabi is found guilty of both fraud and money laundering, the court will impose a single sentence based on the more severe charge, avoiding the addition of separate prison terms.
Summary of Charges and Penalties
| Charge | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|
| Cooperative Fraud (Section 124) | 10 years imprisonment |
| Organized Crime (Section 9) | Additional 5 years |
| Unified Sentence for Cooperative Fraud (क) | 15 years imprisonment |
| Money Laundering (Section 30) (ख) | 2 to 15 years imprisonment |
| Unified Charges (क) & (ख) | Highest sentence + half of the lesser sentence |
If found guilty, Rabi Lamichhane could face a combined sentence of up to 15 years in prison, with specific terms determined by the court. The case is under review at the District Court in Kaski.
