Himal Press 
Rabi Lamichhane
KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane has been arrested for the second time in connection with a cooperative fund embezzlement case.
The Butwal bench of the Tulsipur High Court on Friday ordered that Lamichhane be remanded in judicial custody for trial on charges of cooperative fraud and organized crime.
According to a party leader, Lamichhane was taken into custody from his residence in Budhanilkantha on Friday night.
Police investigation report shows funds withdrawn from different cooperatives, including Supreme Savings and Credit Cooperatives of Rupandehi, were funneled into Gorkha Media Network while Lamichhane held an executive role.
Before venturing into politics by forming RSP ahead of the 2022 general elections, Lamichhane was a media personality and served as the Managing Director of Galaxy Television, operated by Gorkha Media Network.
He is accused of misappropriating funds transferred illegally from various cooperatives to Gorkha Media Network. while serving as Managing Director.
Along with Supreme Cooperatives in of Rupandehi, Lamichhane has been accused of misappropriating funds frim Swarnalaxmi Cooperative in Kathmandu, Suryadarshan Cooperative in Pokhara, Sano Paila Cooperative in Birgunj, and Sahara Cooperative in Chitwan.
Timeline:
October 18, 2024: Arrested from RSP central office in Kathmandu; taken to Pokhara.
October 21: Kaski District Court allows 6-day detention for investigation.
October 25: Detention extended by 7 days.
November 6: Detention extended by 10 more days.
November 11: Further 13-day extension.
November 11: Taken from Pokhara to Bhairahawa to record statement.
November 25: Fifth extension of remand for 15 days.
November 29: Transferred from Pokhara to Kathmandu for questioning.
December 4: Taken from Kathmandu to Chitwan for further questioning.
December 9: Sixth extension of remand in Kaski for 4 days.
December 10: Transferred from Pokhara to Parsa for investigation.
December 11: Statement recorded in Parsa.
December 12: Brought back to Pokhara via Kathmandu.
December 13: Seventh extension of remand in Kaski for 5 days.
December 16: Police submit investigation report to government attorney.
December 17: Eighth extension granted for 4 days.
December 22: Fraud, organized crime, and money laundering charges filed at Kaski District Court.
December 23: Suspended from Parliament.
January 5, 2025: Fraud charges filed against 39 people, including Lamichhane, at Kathmandu District Court in connection to Swarnalaxmi Cooperative.
January 8: Kaski District Court orders release on Rs. 6.5 million bail.
March 31: Reinstated as party president.
April 4: Court orders pretrial detention; Lamichhane taken into custody from home.
