KATHMANDU, JANUARY 9
The Kaski District Court in Pokhara has ordered the release of seven individuals, including Rabi Lamichhane, President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, on bail in connection with an alleged misappropriation of funds from Suryadarshan Cooperatives in Pokhara. The accused are charged with embezzling cooperative funds.
A bench led by Judge Nitij Rai ruled on Thursday to grant Lamichhane bail set at Rs. 6.5 million.
The court also granted bail to six others: Chhabilal Joshi (Rs. 8.8 million), Leela Pachhai (Rs. 3.7 million), Mina Gurung (Rs. 500,000), Ram Bahadur Khanal (Rs. 1.5 million), Arati Gurung (Rs. 500,000), and Krishna Bahadur Gurung (Rs. 100,000), as stated by the court's registrar, Rajan Khanal.
The decision followed a 10-day hearing to determine whether to extend the remand for further investigation.
On December 22, the Kaski District Attorney's Office filed charge sheets against 44 individuals, including Lamichhane, a former Home Minister, in relation to the alleged embezzlement of cooperative funds.
In total, 63 individuals are facing charges in the case.