BIRATNAGAR: Anjila Koirala, wife of Rishikesh Pokharel, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee in the House of Representatives, has been ordered to post Rs 1 million bail in connection with a cooperative fraud case.
The Morang District Court issued the order, stating no grounds for her detention during the investigation.
According to court spokesperson Hem Bahadur Budhathoki, Judge Uddhab Prasad Bhattarai ruled that Koirala could be released on bail while awaiting trial.
Koirala appeared in court voluntarily on Wednesday to face charges related to financial irregularities at the Umagauri Agricultural Cooperative in Dhanpalathan Rural Municipality-4, Morang.
Following her testimony, government prosecutors and Koirala’s legal team engaged in over 90 minutes of debate.
The prosecution alleged that Koirala, a member of the cooperative’s executive committee since 2015, shared responsibility for misappropriating Rs 222.8 million.
Koirala’s defense team, however, argued that no evidence linked her to the alleged embezzlement. They cited an audit by Bhagirath Khanal & Associates, which found no records of her involvement, and noted that neither the complaints nor supporting documents mentioned her role in the fraud.
The court asked government prosecutors to clarify specific claims in the charge sheet. The defense, represented by 11 lawyers, including nine senior advocates, argued that Koirala had no involvement in the cooperative’s financial mismanagement.
The charges have also implicated Umagauri Agricultural Cooperative Chair Shambhu Rauniyar, Rangeli Ward No. 2 Chair Santalal Khawas, and 23 others.
The case involves serious allegations of financial mismanagement within the cooperative. While Koirala’s release on bail indicates insufficient evidence for her detention at this stage, further court proceedings will determine her level of accountability.
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