KATHMANDU, July 4:  The court has given permission to the police to conduct further investigation into the Lalita Niwas land grab case from the perspective of organized crime as well. The Kathmandu District Court on Tuesday allowed the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police to conduct an investigation into organized crime against those involved in this scam.

Last week, the bureau was given permission by the court to conduct an investigation against those involved in this case in relation to the violation of the Civil Code 1963. Since then, nine people have been arrested.

The latest order of the court has opened the door to investigate the accused for organized crime. Police investigation in general should be completed within 25 days and the case should be brought before the court. However, in the case of organized crime, the police have 60 days time to investigate and file a case.

Meanwhile, the police have filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court requesting the apex court to vacate its order not to 'arrest' 17 people involved in the Lalita Niwas case. 

CIB's petition was registered at the Supreme Court on Monday. On August 4, 2022, SC Justice Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada issued an interim order telling the police not to arrest 17 people involved in the Lalita Niwas case on the charge of forgery.

Kaladhar Deuja, Surendraman Kapali and Hupendramani KC, who were arrested on June 27, were released after they showed the interim order of the Supreme Court.

Similarly, a hearing on the habeas corpus writ filed by Min Bahadur Gurung, the owner of Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket, and former Election Commissioner Sudhir Shah, who are under the custody of CIB was conducted on Tuesday by a bench of SC justices Dr Anand Mohan Bhattarai and Hari Phuyal. As per the court registrar, the hearing shall continue on another date.

 
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