POKHARA: The District Government Attorney’s Office, Kaski, plans to submit a charge sheet against Rabi Lamichhane, President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, to the Kaski District Court on Friday.
The Kaski District Police Office submitted its investigation report, which took nearly three months to prepare, to the government attorney’s office on December 16. The latest four-day remand for Lamichhane expires at midnight on Friday.
“We aim to file at least one charge sheet today (Friday),” a source at the government attorney’s office told Himal Press, adding that additional charges would be gradually submitted.
Since Saturday is a public holiday, efforts are being made to finalize and submit the charge sheet by Friday.
Lamichhane was arrested on October 18 in Kathmandu for an investigation into his alleged role in the misuse of deposits from the Suryadarshan Cooperative in Pokhara.
The police have recommended filing cases against Lamichhane, former DIG of Nepal Police Chhabi Lal Joshi, and three others for cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering. They have been accused of transferring deposits from cooperatives in Kaski, as well as Rupandehi, Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Parsa.
Funds from various cooperatives were transferred to Gorkha Media Network, where Lamichhane served as managing director before resigning to form the RSP before the 2022 general elections.
Police in other districts are also preparing their respective investigation reports.
Under money laundering laws, investigations must be completed, and prosecution must begin within 90 days of a suspect’s arrest. Joshi’s 90-day detention period ends on Friday. Lamichhane has been in police custody for two months.
The Parliamentary Special Investigation Committee had earlier recommended action against Lamichhane, Gorkha Media Network Chairperson GB Rai, and other officials, including former DIG Joshi and Kumar Ramtel, for misappropriating cooperative funds. Rai remains at large.
