GANDAKI, Jan 8: The Kaski District Court is currently holding a detention hearing for the defendants accused of embezzling funds from the Suryadarshan Cooperative in Kaski. District Judge Nitij Rai is presiding over the hearing, which includes notable defendants including Rabi Lamichhane, RSP Chairperson and former Home Minister, along with seven others.
According to Court Registrar Rajan Khanal, the arguments from Lamichhane’s legal team concluded on Tuesday, and the hearing for other defendants commenced thereafter. On Monday and Tuesday, senior advocates Sushil Kumar Pant, Raman Kumar Shrestha, Surendra Thapa, and others argued on behalf of Lamichhane.
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Earlier, the legal representatives of defendants Lila Pachai and Chhabilal Joshi presented their arguments. Meanwhile, the prosecution and complainant cooperative victims' legal teams and the defense attorneys have been presenting their arguments since December 31. Once the defense concludes its arguments, the prosecution will be allowed to present its rebuttal.
The court's decision following the detention hearing will determine whether the defendants will be remanded in custody for further investigation or released on bail while the investigation continues. In addition to Lamichhane, cases pertaining to former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Chhabilal Joshi, Lila Pachai, Krishna Bahadur Gurung, Ram Bahadur Khanal, and others are also involved in the ongoing hearing.
On December 22, the District Government Attorney’s Office filed charges against RSP Chairperson Lamichhane and 43 others for embezzlement related to the cooperative’s funds. Lamichhane faces charges of cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering.
So far, the government attorney's office has filed cases against 63 individuals in connection with the Suryadarshan Cooperative fraud case. Of these, 19 individuals, including Lamichhane, face charges under organized crime, while Lamichhane, Khanal, Joshi, and Pachai are also charged with money laundering.
