Kaski District Court Grants Six Days of Custody for Rabi Lamichhane’s Investigation on Fund Misappropriation

The Kaski District Court has granted the District Police Office, Kaski, six more days to keep Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane in custody to further investigate his alleged involvement in organized crime and the misappropriation of funds from Pokhara’s Suryadarshan Savings and Credit Cooperatives Limited.

The extension was approved by a single bench of Judge Nabaraj Dahal, according to court Information Officer Suraj Adhikari. Lamichhane was presented in court on Sunday, where the government attorney, Kamala Kafle, represented the state, while advocates Sushil Panta and Dr. Narayan Ghimire defended Lamichhane.

Lamichhane was arrested in Kathmandu on Friday and brought to Pokhara the same night. He faces allegations of siphoning cooperative funds to Gorkha Media Network in collaboration with GB Rai.

Protests erupted outside the court as RSP leaders, lawmakers, and supporters voiced their discontent. Tensions also flared at Sahid Chowk in Pokhara, where RSP cadres tried to breach a prohibitory order imposed by local authorities. The administration had enforced restrictions in Sahid Chowk and Gairapatan in anticipation of Lamichhane’s court appearance.

As RSP supporters attempted to enter restricted zones, police used water cannons to maintain order.

The investigation by Kaski District Police into Lamichhane’s alleged misappropriation of cooperative funds is ongoing.