What’s keeping Rabi still in Tribhuvan Int’l Airport?
He was scheduled to be released from custody today in connection with a cooperative scam case.
KATHMANDU: Flight operations at Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa have been disrupted due to dense fog and poor weather conditions, preventing several scheduled flights from operating on Friday morning.
As a result, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane, who was scheduled to travel to Rupandehi, has been stranded at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
Lamichhane was expected to appear at the Rupandehi District Court on Friday to complete the required legal procedures for his release, following an order issued by the Butwal Bench of the Tulsipur High Court.
Party cadres have gathered since early morning at the district court premises as well as outside Gautam Buddha International Airport, awaiting his arrival.
Security arrangements in Bhairahawa have been tightened in anticipation of Lamichhane’s arrival.
According to his personal secretary, Avinash Acharya, although flight arrivals and departures at Bhairahawa have been affected by the weather, the airport has not been fully closed, and no alternative travel arrangements have yet been considered.
Lamichhane’s presence at the district court is mandatory to complete paperwork for his release.
However, due to unfavorable weather, the original court order could not be physically delivered earlier.
The High Court stated that the original copy of the order was sent to the Rupandehi District Court at 10 a.m. on Friday.
On Thursday, a joint bench of Justices Basudev Acharya and Tej Narayan Paudel of the Tulsipur High Court’s Butwal Bench overturned the Rupandehi District Court’s order dated Shrawan 26 and directed Lamichhane’s release on bail with conditions.
The court accepted the Rs 10 million bail previously deposited by Lamichhane and also approved an additional bank guarantee of Rs 27.48 million.
The court stated that Lamichhane would be released after submitting documents agreeing to fulfill any future financial liabilities as determined by the final verdict.
Lamichhane had been held at Nakkhu Prison in Lalitpur following his arrest under the High Court’s order dated Chaitra 22, 2081 BS.
He was initially detained at the Rupandehi District Prison after being arrested in Kathmandu.
