KATHMANDU: The hearing in the fraud case involving Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chair Rabi Lamichhane has concluded at the Rupandehi District Court. The arguments, which began on Thursday, ended on Sunday afternoon, and a verdict is expected soon. Government prosecutors and Lamichhane’s legal team have presented their positions, leaving the decision pending.
Senior attorneys Raman Shrestha, Pashupati Bhandari, Sushil Pant, and Narayan Kandel made up Lamichhane's defense team, and they gave their closing arguments on Sunday. Following consideration of the prosecutor's argument, the court will make its ruling public. Because the case is so well-known, the hearings have attracted a lot of public interest.
Wednesday was Lamichhane's first court appearance. Later, Judge Pralhad Kumar Yogi gave him bail, but only on the proviso that he attend court on a regular basis. Because of this arrangement, Lamichhane has been able to stay at liberty while the matter is being decided.
The core of the fraud case is the theft of Rs 861.8 million from Supreme Cooperative, which affected 1,831 depositors. Although the initial lawsuit against 28 individuals was filed in April, Lamichhane was ultimately implicated through a supplementary complaint that provided additional details to the claims.
Gorkha Media Network Pvt. Ltd. received Rs 142.9 million from the cooperative's funds, according to the police investigation, which sparked worries about potential financial irregularities. After a Rs 20 million loan was issued in Lamichhane's name, he was also connected to the alleged embezzlement of cooperative funds.
As the court considers the matter, its ruling is likely to have a substantial influence on the affected depositors and Lamichhane's political future. The case highlights broader problems with Nepal's financial responsibility and cooperative governance.
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