KATHMANDU: Rabi Lamichhane, the Chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, remains suspended as a Member of Parliament following his involvement in a cooperative fraud and money laundering case.
Lamichhane was first suspended on December 23 after the Kaski District Court registered a case against him.
The suspension was reinforced when Kaski Police informed the Parliament Secretariat about the case, which includes allegations of cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering.
Parliament Secretariat General Secretary Padma Prasad Pandey had issued a notice confirming his suspension.
Lamichhane, also a former Home Minister, was released from Kaski Police custody on Thursday after spending 84 days in detention.
His release came after the court granted him bail of Rs 6.5 million, which he secured through a bank guarantee. However, his case is still pending, and legal experts suggest it is unlikely for him to return to Parliament until it is resolved.
Parliament Secretariat spokesperson Ekram Giri clarified that Lamichhane remains suspended as his case has not been finalized.
According to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2008, officials charged under the Act are automatically suspended during detention and until the case is resolved.
District Court Kaski Judge Nitij Rai issued only a preliminary order for Lamichhane’s release, meaning his suspension will persist until a final verdict is reached.
Article 87 of Nepal’s Constitution outlines the qualifications of lawmakers, stipulating that a lawmaker is not disqualified until convicted under federal law.
Similarly, the House of Representatives Election Act disqualifies individuals convicted of crimes like corruption and money laundering from serving as lawmakers.
As Lamichhane has not yet been found guilty, his lawmaker position has not been revoked. However, if the court finds him guilty, he will lose his seat in Parliament once again, necessitating a by-election for his constituency.
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