Kathmandu – The Kathmandu District Court has ordered the release of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane on a bail of NPR 6 million. The order was issued on Wednesday by District Judge Madhav Prasad Adhikari following a detention hearing.
According to a court official, while the formal verdict is yet to be pronounced, Lamichhane will be allowed to fight his case outside detention once the bail amount is deposited.
Background of the Case
Lamichhane faces allegations of embezzling NPR 50.86 million from the savings of Swarnalakshmi Cooperative. A case was filed demanding the recovery of the misappropriated amount. Previously, the Kaski District Court had also ordered his release on a bail of NPR 6.5 million in a similar case related to Suryadarshan Cooperative.
It has been alleged that funds from these cooperatives were illegally transferred to Gorkha Media Network, where Lamichhane served as Managing Director.
Court’s Key Arguments
The Kathmandu District Court presented three major reasons for granting Lamichhane bail:
1. Dispute Over Share Ownership
Evidence suggests that Lamichhane purchased shares in Gorkha Media Network, but he has argued in court that he acquired the shares as “sweat equity” and later transferred them without taking any payment.
2. Operation of Global IME Bank Account
The court noted that Gorkha Media’s bank account in Global IME Bank was operational before Lamichhane became its Managing Director, and cooperative funds were transferred into the account during his tenure.
3. Loan Payments Through Personal Cheques
Lamichhane was found to have repaid loans to Swarnalakshmi Cooperative through cheques bearing his signature. While this raised questions, the court stated that it is premature to declare him guilty.
Impact of the Order
Following this decision, Lamichhane will be able to pursue the legal process while remaining out of detention upon submitting the bail amount. The case has drawn significant public attention due to its implications for cooperative fraud in Nepal.
Further updates on the case and its outcomes are awaited.
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