Hearing of case against Home Minister Lamichhane today, verdict likely

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court of Nepal is set to continue the hearing of the writ petition filed against Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane on Thursday.

The petition demands his suspension in connection with a cooperative fraud case, and a verdict is likely to be issued soon.

Advocate Anupama Bhattarai filed the writ, seeking Lamichhane’s suspension.

The petitioners claim that Lamichhane’s name appears in the charge sheet, which includes details of loans he allegedly took.

They are also seeking to annul a letter from the Attorney General’s Office, which stated that there is no cooperative fraud case against Lamichhane.

The Attorney General’s Office, Attorney General Dinmani Pokharel, and Home Minister Lamichhane have been named as respondents in the writ.

Bhattarai argues that Lamichhane’s roles and responsibilities as Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister could unduly influence the investigation process, thereby compromising the principles of natural justice.

As a result, an interim order has been requested to suspend Lamichhane from his ministerial position while the investigation is ongoing.

This request has been directed to the Government of Nepal, the Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers.