Rabi Lamichhane Released On Bail

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair, Rabi Lamichhane has been released on a bail of Rs.6 million by The Kathmandu District Court on Wednesday. The decision was issued by Judge Madhav Prasad Adhikari during a single bench hearing. 

Lamichhane, who was previously accused and detained on charges of embezzling Rs 1.19 billion from 690 depositors, will now remain out of custody as the case proceeds. Senior advocates Sushil Panta and Raman Shrestha represented Lamichhane whereas senior advocates Surendra Bhandari and Dinesh Tripathi argued on behalf of the victims, featuring legal arguments on the court. 

During the court proceedings, Lamichhane presented his own brief statement, and government attorneys led by Chief Attorney Ramhari Sharma Kafle countered the defense’s claims. 
The court had then made it clear that Lamichhane was not convicted, hence the bail. Police has issued arrest warrants for him for other cases of embezzlement concerning Sahara Chitwan, Supreme Rupandehi and Sano Paila Cooperatives. He has to appear before the courts in these districts too.
While the court issued the bail order, an unpleasant incident occurred: the activists of RSP assaulted the senior lawyer, Dinesh Tripathi, representing the victims of the cooperative. The police arrested one in connection with the assault. Activists of the RSP also protested against the court, thus raising a question mark over the actions of the party.