Rabi Lamichhane’s custody extended
Lamichhane, a former manager of Gorkha Media Network, will remain in custody at least until Wednesday.
KATHMANDU: The custody of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane has been extended as the court hearing on his detention remains incomplete.
Lamichhane, a former manager of Gorkha Media Network, will remain in custody at least until Wednesday.
Due to a public holiday on Tuesday, the hearing will resume on Wednesday.
Lamichhane is also facing fraud charges related to the Swarnalaxmi Multipurpose Cooperative based in Kalimati, Kathmandu.
Lamichhane appeared at the Kathmandu District Court on Sunday for a statement regarding the case. However, the hearing could not be completed, prompting Judge Madhav Prasad Adhikari to order his detention.
Despite appeals by Lamichhane’s legal team on Monday to release him, Judge Adhikari upheld the earlier order. Monday’s hearing included arguments from the prosecution and victims, but time constraints prevented the defense from presenting their case.
The court has ordered Lamichhane to remain in judicial custody under police supervision until he is presented again on Wednesday.
The police have filed charges against Lamichhane and 43 others for embezzling funds from Swarnalaxmi Multipurpose Cooperative. Investigators have alleged misappropriation of Rs 1.19 billion, affecting over 5,500 depositors.
Lamichhane was recently released on bail in a separate fraud case involving the Suryadarshan Cooperative in Pokhara.
The Kaski District Court had ordered his release on Rs 6.5 million bail last Thursday.
