Supreme Court: Rabi Lamichhane involved in cooperative fraud (full text)
A joint bench of Justices Nahakul Subedi and Bal Krishna Dhakal on Friday ruled that the decision to remand Lamichhane in custody was legally sound and did not warrant reversal.
KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has upheld the order issued by the Butwal bench of the High Court Tulsipur, directing the pre-trial detention of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President and former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.
A joint bench of Justices Nahakul Subedi and Bal Krishna Dhakal on Friday ruled that the decision to remand Lamichhane in custody was legally sound and did not warrant reversal.
The verdict came in response to a habeas corpus petition filed on April 19 by Lamichhane’s wife, Nikita Poudel.
The Supreme Court, after hearing the case, concluded that Lamichhane does not qualify for release from detention at this stage, according to Court Spokesperson Achyut Kharel.
As a result, Lamichhane will remain in judicial custody until the ongoing fraud case related to Supreme Cooperative in Rupandehi District Court is concluded.
He can only be released if acquitted by the District Court—and only if cleared of all other related charges as well.
Lamichhane’s detention was initially ordered by the Butwal bench of the High Court in connection with a fraud case involving Supreme Cooperative.
