KATHMANDU: Senior advocates on Tuesday questioned the Supreme Court on how the withdrawal of cases against Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane might affect other defendants.
Senior advocate Tikaram Bhattarai highlighted that the main accused, GB Rai, who is absconding and has a Red Corner Notice issued against him for cooperative fraud, money laundering, and organized crime, was effectively cleared as a result of Lamichhane’s case withdrawal.
“By withdrawing Rabi Lamichhane’s case, even the charges against GB Rai, who is on the run, were removed,” Bhattarai told the bench. He questioned whether the court could accept that GB Rai was granted de facto immunity through the decision favoring Lamichhane.
The writ petitions challenge the Attorney General’s decision to amend the cases, which had retained fraud charges to protect victims but dropped organized crime and money laundering charges. Petitioners argue the move weakens serious legal accountability and could set a troubling precedent for other defendants.
Despite ongoing legal proceedings, Lamichhane, who is now elected as a Member of Parliament, is scheduled to take his oath on March 26.
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