Rabi Lamichhane probed for money laundering

Former deputy prime minister and home minister Rabi Lamichhane, who is allegedly involved in a cooperative fraud case, is now also being investigated for alleged money laundering. He will be investigated for asset laundering as well, as police are recording his statement in the Surya Darshan Cooperative fraud case following his arrest last week.

Although the investigation began last year, it was halted when Lamichhane joined the government as the deputy prime minister and home minister last year. “Details were sought from banks last year. The investigation will now proceed based on that,” said an officer at the Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DoMLI). “Even though the investigation was halted when he joined the government, it will be easier to investigate him now that he is under arrest.”

The Kaski District Court on Thursday granted permission to investigate them in connection with money laundering, following their arrest in a cooperative fraud case.

The District Government Attorney’s Office and the police had submitted a report requesting an additional 25 days for investigation, but Judge Chandrakanta Poudel’s bench granted only seven days.

Government attorneys argued that the statement-taking process was incomplete and that additional time was needed to gather crucial documents related to money laundering, such as bank statements, property details, and tax records.

According to lawyer Yubaraj Parajuli, more time was requested because collecting the necessary documents for the investigation, such as bank statements, property records, and tax information, would take time.

The court also granted permission to investigate Leela Pachaai, a former employee of Suryadarshan Cooperative, in connection with money laundering. Pachaai is currently in custody, along with Lamichhane and Joshi.

With the court’s decision, investigations into organized crime, cooperative fraud, and money laundering against Lamichhane, Joshi, and Pachaai will now proceed.

For organized crime, the investigation period is 60 days, while in money laundering cases, suspects can be held in custody for up to 90 days for investigation.

Lamichhane and Joshi have been accused of misappropriating cooperative funds by transferring them to Gorkha Media.

Lamichhane is the former Managing Director of Gorkha Media, and Joshi is its former Vice President.