KATHMANDU: The Office of the Attorney General has permitted its subordinate offices to withdraw the money laundering and organised crime charges filed against Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairperson Rani Lamichhane.
The cooperative fraud case against Lamichhane, however, will remain in place, according to the Office of the Attorney General.
As per the decision made by Attorney General Sabita Bhandari, district government attorney offices have been permitted to amend the charge sheets so that allegations related to organised crime and money laundering cases against Lamichhane are withdrawn.
Cases have been filed against Lamichhane at the district courts of Kathmandu, Rupandehi, Parsa, Chitwan, and Kaski. He has been charged with organized crime and money laundering in four districts except Kaski.
The OAG’s decision will allow the concerned district government attorney’s office to withdraw these charges against Lamichhane. Once the charges are withdrawn, the RSP chair can enter parliament should he win the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5.
Lamichhane, who had been held at Nakkhu Prison, was released on December 19 after the Butwal bench of the Tulsipur High Court, on December 18, ordered his release on bail.

Himal Press