Three charges filed against Rabi, case registration in final stage

KATHMANDU: The process of filing fraud charges against Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane, who is currently in custody at the Kaski District Police Office, has reached its final stage.

On Dec 16, the District Police Office submitted an investigation report to the District Attorney’s Office, recommending charges against Lamichhane, along with Chhabilal Joshi, former operator of Gorkha Media Pvt. Ltd., and others.

The report claims damages amounting to Rs 1.51 billion in connection with a cooperative fraud scheme.

The court had extended the review period of the report by four days, starting Dec 16, which concludes at midnight on Friday.

Since Saturday is a public holiday, preparations are underway to file the case either today or on Sunday.

The Kaski police have proposed charges against Lamichhane and 51 others for cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering.

A parliamentary investigation committee had previously identified Lamichhane’s involvement in the misappropriation of funds from various cooperatives linked to Gorkha Media Network.

The allegations include the misuse of funds from Surya Darshan Cooperative in Pokhara, Supreme Savings and Credit Cooperative in Butwal, Swarnalaxmi Cooperative in Kathmandu, and other institutions, which were allegedly funneled into Gorkha Media.

Following this parliamentary report, Chhabilal Joshi was arrested on Sept 22 in Kathmandu and taken to Pokhara. On Oct 18, Rabi Lamichhane was also arrested.

During the investigation, their statements were recorded in Butwal, Chitwan, Kathmandu, and Birgunj.

According to procedures for organized crime cases, charges must be filed within 90 days of arrest, prompting the authorities to extend the deadline for Lamichhane and prepare for imminent case registration.