POKHARA: The ongoing detention hearing for high-profile defendants, including former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane and former DIG Chhabilal Joshi, has drawn prominent legal experts to Pokhara.
The cooperative fraud case has become a focal point for legal debates, with lawyers presenting arguments both for and against the accused.
On Sunday, senior advocate Shambhu Thapa argued on behalf of Chhabilal Joshi at the Kaski District Court.
Thapa raised critical legal and procedural questions, asserting that cooperative board members should also be held accountable for mismanagement if loans were improperly disbursed.
He emphasized that borrowers, as well as cooperative managers, have an obligation to repay loans.
“If the cooperative’s board members were involved in approving dubious loans, they too should face scrutiny,” said Thapa, adding that evidence of the accused’s involvement must be thoroughly examined.
Citing audit reports, Thapa highlighted that assets worth 440 million rupees are still stored at Galaxy Television, and the cooperative’s financial activities require detailed accounting.
He also pointed out that Galaxy Television had spent 190 million rupees on salaries for journalists and staff over two years, indicating significant financial transactions within the organization.
Advocate Ganesh Bhattarai Defends Leela Pachhai
In a separate argument, advocate Ganesh Bhattarai defended Leela Pachhai, who is also in custody.
Bhattarai contended that Pachhai, as an employee in GB Rai’s office, cannot be solely blamed for cooperative fraud and money laundering.
He argued that funds transferred into Pachhai’s account from four cooperatives were done without her knowledge. Bhattarai also referenced Pachhai’s police statement, where she claimed Rai conducted cryptocurrency transactions worth 180 million rupees under her name without her consent.
Bhattarai maintained that such allegations require more robust evidence before holding Pachhai culpable, stressing the need for clarity regarding her role and intent in the financial transactions.
As the hearing progresses, the court continues to hear arguments, while the case draws significant public and media attention.
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