KATHMANDU: Rabi Lamichhane, the Chair of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), is set to face automatic suspension from his position as a Member of Parliament following the registration of a money laundering case against him in the Kaski District Court.
Lamichhane, who has been elected twice from Chitwan Constituency No. 2, is facing severe charges, including money laundering, organized crime, and cooperative fraud. The case involves a claim of Rs 270 million in alleged illicit funds, which has led to questions about his political future as a lawmaker.
Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2007 (as amended), any individual holding a public office, such as an lawmaker, who faces a money laundering charge, is automatically suspended from their position until the case is resolved.
Section (27) of the Act clearly outlines that a public office-holder detained under this law will be suspended for the duration of their detention and until the case is disposed of.
If the court decides to remand Lamichhane in custody, as expected, his parliamentary status will be suspended, marking the second time he has faced such a situation.
Lamichhane was arrested on October 18 in connection with a separate savings fraud case involving Pokhara’s Suryadarshan Cooperative Society. He has been in police custody in Kaski ever since.
The District Attorney’s Office has already filed a case against Lamichhane and 30 other individuals for the alleged money laundering and cooperative fraud.
According to Assistant Attorney General Shanti Devi Sharma, the money laundering charge involves more than Rs 270 million, and Lamichhane’s associate, former DIG Chhabilal Joshi, is also under investigation for undisclosed assets.
As Lamichhane’s case progresses, it seems almost certain that he will be suspended from Parliament as the law mandates automatic suspension in such situations.
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