December 18, 2024
kathmandu – The Kaski District Court has extended the detention of Rabi Lamichane, chairman of the National People’s Party (RSP) and former deputy prime minister, for another four days pending further investigations. Justice Himalal Belbase presided over the ruling on Tuesday, which also involved Chhabilal Joshi, Lila Pachaai, Ram Bahadur Khanal and Krishna Bahadur Gurung.
They remain in the custody of Kaski police as part of a coordinated organized fraud and money laundering investigation. Joshi, who was arrested on September 22, has been extended his detention period for the ninth time, while Ramichan, who was arrested on October 18, is facing his eighth extension of his detention period.
This latest decision marks the final allowable remand under the terms of the 90-day investigation based on the date of Joshi's original arrest.
Kaski district police submitted an investigation report into the Suryadarshan Cooperative fraud case to the district prosecutor's office on Monday. During Tuesday's proceedings, government lawyers and Ramichahn's legal representatives argued over the need to extend custody again.
Government lawyers have argued that more time is needed to analyze the report and identify charges and prosecutors. Ramichahn's lawyers countered that further detention was not necessary as the investigative report had been completed.
