Kathmandu, Nov 5: Police have presented former Deputy Prime Minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane at the Kaski District Court for remand extension today as his one-week detention period expired during the Tihar holidays.
Suraj Adhikari, the court's information officer, confirmed to Republica that Lamichhane was brought to the court for a remand extension. The hearing for the remand extension has begun. Their case is being heard by the bench of Judge Chandrakanta Paudel.
Along with Lamichhane, former DIG Chhabilal Joshi, who is also a former board member of Gorkha Media and was arrested on September 22 in the cooperative case, has also been presented in court for a remand extension.
RSP Chairman Lamichhane and former DIG Joshi presented to Kaski...
Lamichhane, the former managing director of Gorkha Media, was arrested on October 18. Police are currently investigating him on the charges of money laundering and cooperative funds embezzlement. The authorities are preparing to take additional statements from him.
The police have sought an extension of Lamichhane’s judicial remand, citing the need to complete necessary documentation and record further statements. Based on the investigation conducted so far, it has been revealed that Lamichhane traveled to Malaysia last March to meet GB Rai, the chairman of Gorkha Media, and police sources have reported unusual financial activity in his transactions.
Police are also investigating Lamichhane’s alleged connection with organized crime and asset laundering. As he is presented for a remand extension, the RSP has planned a protest in Pokhara today. RSP leaders from various parts of the country, including the capital, Kathmandu, are thronging Pokhara to stage demonstrations.
Meanwhile, police are examining Lamichhane’s bank accounts and all transactions, suspecting he may have transferred funds abroad. They have the authority to detain him for up to 90 days for the money laundering investigation.
Moreover, a supplementary complaint has been filed against him in Rupandehi, where an arrest warrant has been issued. This indicates that he will also be taken to Butwal for further statements.
