Rabi to be taken to Kathmandu after bail payment

KATHMANDU: The Kaski District Court has granted bail to Rabi Lamichhane, the President of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and former Deputy Prime Minister, upon payment of Rs 6.5 million.

Following the court’s order, preparations are underway to transfer him to Kathmandu for further legal proceedings.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Shyam Babu Oli of the Kaski District Police Office stated that a case has also been filed against Lamichhane in Kathmandu. “The court has issued the order, and after the bail is deposited, we will transfer him to Kathmandu,” SP Oliya.

The bench of Judge Nitiz Rai of the Kaski District Court ordered Lamichhane’s release on bail. However, if he fails to deposit the required amount, he will be sent to prison.

The Kaski District Attorney’s Office had filed an additional and supplementary charge sheet against Lamichhane and 62 others on Dec 20 and 22, demanding a compensation of Rs 1.51 billion.

The charges include fraud in cooperative operations, money laundering, and organized crime.

In Kathmandu, Lamichhane also faces charges related to the Swarnalaxmi Cooperative scam.

On Sunday, a case was filed against 39 individuals, including Lamichhane, accusing them of cooperative fraud and organized crime.

The cooperative is alleged to have misappropriated Rs 1.19 billion from 690 depositors.

Earlier, Sunita Neupane, a member of the cooperative’s audit committee, and Kamal Lama, a member of its executive board, were released on bail of Rs 400,000 and Rs 300,000 respectively, on Tuesday.