Kathmandu, Dec 20: A case is reportedly being prepared to be filed against Rabi Lamichhane, the president of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), in connection with the Suryadarshan Cooperative fraud case in Kaski District Court. Lamichhane is currently in the custody of the Kaski District Police Office.
The Kaski District Attorney’s Office has indicated plans to file charges today, if possible. The District Police Office had submitted an investigation report to the Attorney’s Office on December 16. The report recommends filing a case against Lamichhane, former Gorkha Media Pvt. Ltd. executive Chhabilal Joshi, and others, demanding a recovery of Rs 1.51 billion.
After reviewing the report, the court granted a four-day extension starting December 16, which expires today. Since Saturday is a public holiday, authorities aim to register the case either today or by Sunday. According to legal provisions, charges must be filed within 90 days; Sunday marks the last day for filing the case.
The Parliamentary Special Investigation Committee had earlier recommended action against Lamichhane, citing his involvement in misusing funds from cooperatives, including Pokhara’s Suryadarshan, Butwal’s Supreme Savings and Credit Cooperative, Kathmandu’s Swarna Laxmi Cooperative, Sahara Chitwan Multipurpose Cooperative, Birgunj’s Sano Paila Savings and Credit Cooperative, and Nepalgunj’s Samanata Cooperative. These funds were allegedly misappropriated and transferred to Gorkha Media, which is illegal.
Following the report’s implementation, Chhabilal Joshi, who is also a former DIG of Nepal Police, was arrested on September 22 from Kathmandu and taken to Pokhara. Lamichhane was apprehended on October 18. During the investigation, statements were taken in Butwal, Chitwan, Kathmandu, and Birgunj.
As per the legal requirement to file organized crime charges within 90 days, the timeline has been calculated from Joshi’s arrest and subsequent remand extensions.
According to sources, the Police and Attorney Office have been looking the matter embezzlement of cooperatives’ fund, money laundering and organized crime.
However, Rabi Lamichhane have been denying his involvement in the cooperative’s scandal. Nepal Police have been searching GB Rai who is the Chairman of these cooperatives and Gorkha Media itself. #nepal #crime #rabi
