KATHMANDU: The bail hearing of Rabi Lamichhane, chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, who requested release by submitting a hefty bail amount, has concluded.
The hearing was held on Monday before Judge Narayan Sapkota at the Rupandehi District Court. Lamichhane had submitted a bank guarantee worth Rs 274.84 million as bail.
Now, Judge Sapkota’s bench will decide whether to release him on bail for further trial or keep him in custody.
Lamichhane was sent to custody on April 4, 2025 (Chaitra 22, 2081 BS) by the High Court of Tulsipur, Butwal bench, on charges related to the embezzlement of millions in savings from the Supreme Cooperative Institution. The Supreme Court also upheld this order. He is currently serving time at the Bhairahawa prison.
Lamichhane filed his bail request citing Sections 68 and 71 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 2074 BS, along with the bank guarantee. Section 68 allows bail on surety or bank guarantee, while Section 71 states that the court may keep the accused in custody or on bail at any stage of trial.
The law clarifies that even if the accused was not initially detained, the court can later order custody or bail as the case progresses. Also, if there is reasonable evidence proving innocence, the court may order release at any stage.
Rabi submitted the bank guarantee in the third week of Shrawan at the Rupandehi District Court, requesting release from Bhairahawa prison.
The Supreme Court had earlier refused bail, stating there was insufficient evidence to declare him innocent, and ordered continued custody during trial.
Lamichhane was initially released on bail by the Rupandehi District Court in the Supreme Cooperative embezzlement case, but the High Court in Dang’s Butwal bench ordered him to be held in custody. The Supreme Court confirmed that order.
Investigations by parliamentary committees and the Nepal Police have revealed that under Ravi’s instigation, Gitendra Babu Rai (GB Rai) illegally invested millions of rupees from over five cooperatives into Galaxy Television, owned by Gorkha Media Network Pvt Ltd. Ravi is considered the main planner in this case, which is still under investigation and trial.
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