Rabi Lamichhane ordered released on Rs 65 lakhs bail in cooperative fraud case

Pokhara: The District Court of Kaski has ordered the release of former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane on bail. Lamichhane, who also serves as the President of the National Independent Party (RSWP), was granted bail of Rs 65 lakhs in connection with the alleged embezzlement of funds from Pokhara's Surya Darshan Cooperative.

According to the court's information officer, Suraj Adhikari, the decision was issued by the bench of Judge Nitij Rai. This order allows Lamichhane to stand trial in the case without being held in custody.

The District Government Attorney's Office filed charges against 44 individuals, including Lamichhane, on Poush 9, accusing them of embezzlement of cooperative funds. Lamichhane also faces allegations of cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering.

In total, the Public Prosecutor's Office has filed cases against 63 individuals in connection with the Surya Darshan Cooperative fraud. Among them, 19 people, including Lamichhane, have been charged with organized crime.

Kaski Police had earlier recommended that the District Public Prosecutor's Office recover Rs 1.5 arbas from 51 individuals, including Lamichhane, and proceed with charges for cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering.