Rabi to be released with 5 conditions, flown to Bhairahawa for formalities

KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane, who has been in custody over a cooperative fraud case, is set to be released today.

Following a High Court order, the legal process for his release was completed on Friday morning by transferring him from Nakkhu Prison, Lalitpur, to the airport.

Lamichhane is scheduled to be flown to Rupandehi via a Buddha Air flight.

According to SSP Hobindra Bogati, Chief of Lalitpur District Police, he will be released on the same day after completing the necessary legal formalities in Rupandehi.

A bench of High Court Justices Basudev Acharya and Tejanarayan Paudel allowed Lamichhane to remain out of custody while the case proceeds.

The court overturned the earlier district court order to keep him in custody and issued a release order with five key conditions:

Five Conditions for Release:

1. Continued Bail: Lamichhane must comply with the bail amount initially demanded by the district court on 13 Magh 2081, as per Section 68 of the law.

2. Bank Guarantee: The defendant must secure a bank guarantee of NPR 2,74,84,000, submitted through his petition, as collateral.

3. Notification of Foreign Travel: He must inform the relevant court in advance if he travels abroad, whether personally or officially.

4. Cancellation of Previous Order: The High Court annulled the previous district court order issued on 26 Saun 2082 to keep him in custody.

5. Acceptance of Additional Liability: Lamichhane must provide a written agreement to pay or settle any additional compensation or liability that may arise at the conclusion of the case.

After completing the formalities in Rupandehi, Lamichhane will face the court proceedings while remaining out of custody.

Since his arrest, the RSP has continuously held protests, claiming political revenge.