KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has decided to forward a writ petition challenging the interim government’s decision to withdraw cases against Rabi Lamichhane to a full bench for final adjudication.
A joint bench of justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Shrikanta Paudel issued the order after a preliminary hearing, directing that the case concerning the revision of charges against Lamichhane be heard by a full bench.
Senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi said the court decided to refer the writ for final settlement through a full bench following the initial hearing.
The writ petition had sought an order to halt the decision of Attorney General Sabita Bhandari Baral to withdraw charges filed against Lamichhane through an amendment to the charge sheets.
Cases related to cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering involving Lamichhane had been registered in five different district courts.
Acting on government instructions, Attorney General Baral had decided on January 14 to withdraw two serious charges—organized crime and money laundering—against Lamichhane.
The decision also covered Lamichhane’s business partners, including GB Rai and former DIG Chhabilal Joshi.
While the cooperative fraud case remains in place, it is unlikely to affect Lamichhane’s electoral prospects. However, if the organized crime and money laundering charges are withdrawn, Lamichhane—who has already won from Chitwan-2—would face fewer legal barriers to entering parliament.
If those charges remain in place, Lamichhane would not be able to function as a member of parliament even if elected.
Cases involving cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering against Lamichhane and his partners linked to Gorkha Media are currently under consideration at district courts in Rupandehi, Kaski, Kathmandu, Parsa, and Chitwan.
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