Recording statements in Rabi Lamichhane Cooperative fraud case begins in court

KATHMANDU: Recording the statements of five defendants, including Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President and former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, accused in a cooperative fraud case, is set to begin today at the District Court Kaski.

On Sunday, the District Attorney’s Office, Kaski, filed charges against Lamichhane and 31 others, accusing them of involvement in cooperative fraud.

Additionally, Lamichhane faces charges of organized crime and money laundering.

District Court Kaski Information Officer Suraj Adhikari stated that the recording of statements for Lamichhane, Chhabilal Joshi, and five other defendants, who were presented before the court, has commenced.

“The statements will be recorded once the bench is finalized, and detention orders will be issued after the process is complete,” Adhikari explained.

According to the Attorney’s Office, cases have been registered against 63 individuals in connection with the embezzlement of the Suryadarshan cooperative in Pokhara.

Assistant District Attorney Shanti Devi Sharma revealed that 19 individuals, including Lamichhane, have been charged with organized crime.

Lamichhane, along with Ram Bahadur Khanal, Chhabilal Joshi, and Leela Pachai, also faces charges of money laundering.

The case against Lamichhane includes a money laundering claim amounting to Rs 278.94 million, while separate charges of money laundering have been filed against Chhabilal Joshi.

Lamichhane was arrested in Kathmandu on October 18 on accusations of misappropriating cooperative funds. He is under investigation in Kaski and other districts for alleged mismanagement of cooperative finances.

Meanwhile, the alleged mastermind of the Suryadarshan cooperative fraud, GB Rai, along with other accused, remains at large.