The Kaski District Court of Nepal has ordered the release of National Independent Party President and former Deputy Prime Minister, Rabi Lamichhane, on bail of NPR 6.5 million in the Suryadarshan Cooperative misappropriation case.
Judge Nitiz Rai’s bench issued the order on Thursday, but Lamichhane’s release is not immediate. Despite the court’s bail order, Lamichhane will not be released yet, as he needs to be presented before the Kathmandu District Court in connection with the ongoing case of misappropriation involving the Swarnalaxmi Cooperative. Police will bring Lamichhane to Kathmandu for that purpose.
On December 5 and 7, the Kaski District Government Attorney’s Office had filed a supplementary charge sheet, seeking a claim of NPR 15.1 billion in damages against 63 individuals, including Lamichhane. The charges include cooperative fraud, money laundering, and organized crime.
In the case, the Kaski District Government Attorney’s Office has claimed NPR 337.65 million in damages related to the Suryadarshan Cooperative’s misappropriated funds and an additional NPR 278.94 million in property laundering claims.
Besides Lamichhane, the defendants also include former DIG Chhabilal Joshi, former Vice President of Gorkha Media; Leela Pacha, Lamichhane’s associate; former Member of Parliament and founding Vice President Meena Gurung; founding member Krishna Bahadur Gurung; and former Treasurer Arati Gurung.
The court’s decision to grant bail follows a lengthy hearing, but the legal proceedings in the case are far from over.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
