Rabi Lamichhane Case Hearing Today

The Butwal High Court is holding a hearing today on the cooperative fraud and organized crime case involving Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane and former Gorkha Media operator Chhabilal Joshi. Both are currently in judicial custody.

According to Ram Bahadur Kuwar, the Information Officer at the High Court, the case has been listed for a hearing today. The hearing had been postponed twice earlier because Lamichhane’s lawyers asked for more time to prepare their arguments.

Lamichhane and Joshi are being held while authorities investigate the Suprem Cooperative fraud case in Butwal.

Even though Lamichhane deposited the amount set as his share of the financial liability, the Rupandehi District Court denied his bail request on August 11. He then appealed that decision at the High Court on August 25.

In the Suprem Cooperative case, prosecutors have charged Lamichhane and others with a total financial liability of Rs 109.36 million. Lamichhane provided documents showing he had paid one-fourth of the amount Rs 27.48 million as his share. Joshi has also deposited the same amount for bail.

The High Court’s decision after today’s hearing will decide whether the accused will remain in custody or be released on bail.