Rabi Lamichhane to be re-arrested by the police.
Former Home Minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane is set to appear in the Kathmandu District Court today following his release on bail from the Kaski District Court in connection with the misuse of funds from the Surya Darshan Cooperative. Lamichhane faces additional legal proceedings in Kathmandu due to another case related to cooperative mismanagement.
Lamichhane was released on bail of NRs 6.5 million by the Kaski District Court. However, Judge Nitiz Kumar Rai's order explicitly mentioned that sufficient grounds to declare him not guilty were lacking. Consequently, Lamichhane has been directed to Kathmandu for further investigation.
Key Developments
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Immediate Arrest upon Arrival:
As soon as Lamichhane arrives at the Kathmandu District Court, he is expected to be taken into custody again by the police. -
Remand Hearing:
The court will conduct a remand hearing to decide whether he will be detained during the trial or released under specific conditions. -
Under Police Surveillance:
Lamichhane remains under police surveillance, with security measures reflecting his status as a former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.
Detailed Overview
Rabi Lamichhane was released on Thursday after depositing bail of NRs 6.5 million at the Kaski District Court. Alongside Lamichhane, other individuals, including Chhabilal Joshi, Leela Pachhai, Ram Bahadur Khanal, Krishna Bahadur Gurung, and Aarti Gurung, also secured bail in the case.
In addition to the charges filed in Kaski, Lamichhane is implicated in another case concerning the mismanagement of cooperative funds in Kathmandu. Due to this, he is legally required to appear in the Kathmandu District Court today. Upon his arrival, he will be taken into custody for further interrogation, and a remand hearing will determine whether he remains in detention during the trial or is released on conditions set by the court.
While Lamichhane has been provided with security due to his former ministerial status, the police remain vigilant as they investigate his alleged involvement in the embezzlement of cooperative funds.
In the Surya Darshan Cooperative case, the government prosecutor has filed charges against 44 individuals, including Lamichhane. So far, 63 people have faced charges in connection with the cooperative fund mismanagement. According to Kaski District Court Registrar Rajan Khanal, further investigations will continue against those released on bail.
Conclusion
The unfolding events highlight the judicial and legal seriousness surrounding the cooperative fund embezzlement scandal. Lamichhane’s re-arrest and subsequent remand hearing in Kathmandu are expected to add new dimensions to the case. The outcome will set a precedent for cooperative fraud cases in Nepal and is being closely watched by the public and legal experts alike.