The Office of the Attorney General has withdrawn money laundering and organized crime charges against Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane and others, leaving them to face only cooperative fraud allegations, a move that has sparked legal and public debate.
Nepal Verified News
Sat Jan 17 2026
The Office of the Attorney General has dropped two major criminal charges, money laundering and organized crime against Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane and other accused in the cooperative fund misuse case.
Attorney General Sabita Bhandari Baral approved an amendment to the charge sheet, leaving Lamichhane, Gorkha Media Network Chairperson GB Rai, former DIG Chhabiraj Joshi, and others to face only cooperative fraud charges. The Attorney General’s Office said the move was aimed at easing reconciliation with victims and facilitating the return of depositors’ savings.
The decision was based on a parliamentary probe report, which found no documentary evidence of Lamichhane’s direct involvement in the fund transfer process, despite money reaching Gorkha Media. To avoid legal inconsistency, the amended charges were extended to all accused linked to the case.
The move has sparked controversy, with legal experts questioning whether the decision weakens accountability. Separate writ petitions challenging the charge amendment have been filed at the Supreme Court.
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