KATHMANDU: The Butwal High Court has scheduled a hearing today on the cooperative fraud and organized crime case involving Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane and former Gorkha Media operator Chhabilal Joshi, both of whom are currently in judicial custody.
According to Ram Bahadur Kuwar, Information Officer at the Butwal High Court, the case of Lamichhane and Joshi has been placed on today’s docket for hearing.
Earlier, the hearing was postponed twice after Lamichhane’s legal team submitted petitions seeking additional time for arguments.
Both Lamichhane and Joshi are in custody for the investigation of the Suprem Cooperative fraud case in Butwal.
Although Lamichhane had deposited the amount determined as his share of the liability, the Rupandehi District Court rejected his bail request on August 11. Challenging that order, Lamichhane filed a petition at the High Court on August 25.
In the Suprem Cooperative case, prosecutors have filed charges against Lamichhane and others, determining a collective financial liability of Rs 109.36 million.
Lamichhane submitted documents showing he had deposited one-fourth of the total amount, Rs 27.48 million, as his share. Joshi had submitted an equivalent amount as bail as well.
The High Court’s decision following today’s hearing will determine whether the accused will continue in custody or be released on bail.
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