KATHMANDU: The final hearing on the money laundering case of former lawmaker and entrepreneur Ichchharaj Tamang, who has been embroiled in the cooperative fraud and banking irregularities case, has commenced in the Special Court on Tuesday.

The chairman of the special court, Tek Narayan Kunwar, along with judges Tej Narayan Singh Rai and Muraribabu Shrestha, initiated the final hearing on Tuesday.

The government lawyers have initiated arguments against Tamang today. The case has garnered attention due to its complexity. The special court has prepared to continue the hearing for tomorrow.

The Department of Money Laundering Investigation had filed a case on September 1, 2022 against Tamang, the former chairman of the Civil Cooperative Society, and six members of his family.

The Department had filed a case demanding asset laundering of NPR 3.318 billion against Tamang, his wife Srijana Shakya, two daughters Pratikshya and Pratisth, former chairman of the cooperative Keshav Lal Shrestha, and his wife, Binu Shrestha. They were accused of illegal accumulation of wealth.

Earlier, District Attorney’s Office, Kathmandu filed case against 43 people including Ichchha Raj Tamang arrested on fraud charges.

Based on the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), the attorney’s office registered the case demanding Tamang eight years’ in prison and fine on the basis of the loss caused by his fraud of Rs 5.59 billion.

Tamang was arrested by the police on October 4 in a fraud case. Tamang was taken into custody for investigation not only as a debtor but also as he was found guilty of violating the Cooperatives Act.

Tamang, on the other hand, had given a statement to the government prosecutor’s office that he is not responsible for returning the money to the depositors.

During the ongoing district court hearings in Kathmandu, Tamang had reportedly tried to bribe the judge.