RSP President Lamichhane’s defence begins in Kaski district court regarding cooperative fraud case

January 6, Kathmandu: The defence for Rabi Lamichhane, the President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and former Home Minister, is taking place today at the Kaski District Court. Lamichhane is facing charges of fraud in connection with the Surya Darshan Savings and Credit Cooperative.

Last Friday, the defence of other defendants, including former Deputy Inspector General of Police and former vice-chairman of Gorakha Media, Chhabilal Joshi Banjade, and GB and Company’s employee Lila Pachai, concluded.

Rajan Khanal, the registrar of the Kaski District Court, informed that the defence arguments on behalf of Lamichhane were underway in the bench of Judge Nitij Rai.

“The arguments on behalf of Chhabilal Joshi and Lila Pachai in this case have been completed. From today, the arguments on behalf of Ravi Lamichhane will begin,” said Registrar Khanal.

Senior advocates including Raman Shrestha, Sushil Pant, Dr Narayan Ghimire, Narayan Dutt Kandel, Hari Subedi, and Rohitraj Parajuli are prepared to argue on behalf of Lamichhane. The defence arguments of the defendants are expected to conclude on Tuesday or Wednesday, after which there will be a rebuttal.

After the rebuttal, a decision will be made whether to release the defendants on bail or to send them to judicial custody. Ravi, along with 44 other defendants, has been charged with cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering in the Surya Darshan Cooperative fraud case.