Fraud case in Swarnalakshmi Cooperative: Police recommend naming 44, including Rabi Lamichhane, as defendants

KATHMANDU: The District Police Office, Kathmandu, has submitted a report recommending that 44 individuals, including Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chair Rabi Lamichhane, be named defendants in the Swarnalakshmi Cooperative embezzlement case.

Lamichhane, who is currently in Kaski police custody for alleged fraud in the Suryadarshan Cooperative case in Pokhara, faces accusations of misappropriating funds from Swarnalakshmi Cooperative in Kalimati, Kathmandu.

On Thursday, police submitted their report to the office of the district attorney, Kathmandu, suggesting legal action against Lamichhane and 43 others.

The report highlights embezzlement amounting to 1.19 billion rupees, with police seeking compensation from the accused.

The suspects include Lamichhane, former Gorkha Media operator and former DIG of Nepal Police Chhabilal Joshi, and cooperative treasurer Kumar Ramtel, among others. Five individuals are currently in custody, while several remain at large.

As Lamichhane’s trial proceeds in Kaski District Court, the Kathmandu case is also set to move forward.

Police have listed the absconding individuals as fugitives in their report.