KASKI: The Kaski District Court is expected to deliver its verdict today (Thursday) in the Suryadarshan Cooperative fraud case.
The court has reached the final stage after a week-long hearing, presided over by District Judge Nitij Rai.
The debate concluded on Wednesday, with senior advocates Bishnu Prasad Sharma and Mohan Bahadur Thapa defending accused Ram Bahadur Khanal, and advocates Hari Subedi and Ganga Prasad Subedi representing Krishna Bahadur Gurung.
Similarly, advocates Surendra Thapa Magar and Manoj Gharti Magar argued on behalf of Mina Gurung and Arati Gurung.
Court registrar Rajan Khanal stated that the complainant’s legal team presented their rebuttal arguments on Wednesday, represented by advocates Raman Kumar Karn, Ram Ghimire, and Bed Bahadur Bista.
The government prosecutors will present their rebuttal arguments on Thursday, followed by the judge drafting and finalizing the order.
If the rebuttal concludes swiftly, a decision could be announced by Thursday evening.
The case involves prominent figures, including Rabi Lamichhane, chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and former Home Minister, along with seven other defendants.
The charges against Lamichhane include cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering.
Other notable defendants include former DIG Chhabilal Joshi, Leela Pachhain, and former British Army personnel Krishna Bahadur Gurung.
The cooperative fraud case revolves around allegations of embezzlement and mismanagement of funds at the Suryadarshan Cooperative.
On December 22, the District Government Attorney’s Office filed cases against Lamichhane and 43 others, with 19 accused of organized crime and three facing additional money laundering charges.
The court will determine whether the defendants, including Lamichhane, will be held in custody for further investigation or released pending trial.
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