High Court orders detention of Lamichhane

KATHMANDU: The Butwal Bench of Tulsipur High Court has ordered detention of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President and former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane in connection with a cooperative fraud case.

A division bench of High Court Judges Ramesh Dhakal and Swikriti Parajuli overturned the Rupandehi District Court’s decision to release Lamichhane on a bail of Rs 10 million. A bench of District Judge Pralhad Kumar Yogi had issued the bail order.

Lamichhane filed the petition at the High Court under Section 73 of the Criminal Procedure Code on March 10, requesting the annulment of the bail order issued under Section 68. He had sought a high court order to stand trial while remaining free on a general date as per Section 69 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Lamichhane is accused of misappropriating funds from the Butwal-based Supreme Cooperative. He is also under investigation for similar offenses in Kaski, Kathmandu, and Chitwan districts.