Recording Statements of Defendants, Including RSP President Rabi Lamichhane, Begins in Kaski Court

The District Court Kaski has begun recording statements from five defendants, including Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President and former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, who is accused of cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering.

The District Attorney Office in Kaski filed a case against Lamichhane and 31 others on Sunday, accusing them of cooperative fraud. The charges also include organized crime and money laundering for certain individuals, including Lamichhane.

District Court Kaski’s Information Officer, Suraj Adhikari, confirmed that the statement recording process has commenced. “The recording of statements will proceed once the bench is finalized, and detention orders will be issued upon completion of the statements,” Adhikari said.

The charges are related to the embezzlement of funds from the Suryadarshan Cooperative in Pokhara. According to the District Attorney’s Office, cases have been filed against a total of 63 individuals in connection with the scandal.

Assistant District Attorney Shanti Devi Sharma revealed that 19 individuals, including Lamichhane, face charges of organized crime. Additionally, money laundering cases have been registered against Lamichhane, Ram Bahadur Khanal, Chhabilal Joshi, and Leela Pachai.

The case against Lamichhane alleges the misappropriation of Rs 278.94 million. Former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Chhabilal Joshi also faces charges of money laundering.

Lamichhane was initially arrested in Kathmandu on October 18 for allegedly mismanaging cooperative funds. He is currently under investigation in Kaski and other districts for similar charges.

Meanwhile, authorities are still searching for the primary suspect and alleged mastermind of the Suryadarshan Cooperative fraud, GB Rai, who remains at large.