SC registers writ against Rabi Lamichhane’s custody order
The petition, registered on Friday, seeks to overturn the High Court’s decision to send Lamichhane to prison for pre-trial detention.
KATHMANDU: A writ petition has been registered at the Supreme Court of Nepal challenging the recent order by the High Court Butwal to remand Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane in custody pending trial.
According to RSP Deputy Spokesperson Pratibha Rawal, the writ was filed on Friday by Lamichhane’s wife, Nikita Poudel, who appeared in person at the Supreme Court.
The petition seeks to overturn the High Court’s decision, which ordered Lamichhane to be sent to judicial custody in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged embezzlement of cooperative funds.
Last Friday, a division bench comprising Justices Ramesh Dhakal and Swikriti Parajuli at the High Court in Butwal directed authorities to remand Lamichhane, reversing an earlier decision by the Rupandehi District Court, which had allowed his release on a bail of Rs 10 million.
The Supreme Court will now deliberate on the writ, which argues that the High Court’s order is unjust and seeks Lamichhane’s immediate release.
Lamichhane, a former journalist-turned-politician, has maintained his innocence, stating that he is being targeted for political reasons.
The case has stirred considerable public and political debate across the country.
