Chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Ravi Lamichhane, was released on bail on Friday following an order from the Butwal bench of the Tulsipur High Court.
In line with the court order, Lamichhane was produced before the Rupandehi District Court, where formalities were completed before his release. He had already submitted a bank guarantee, leaving only procedural requirements to be fulfilled. Although he was scheduled to be flown to Bhairahawa on the first flight in the morning, adverse weather conditions halted flights at Bhairahawa Airport. He was instead brought by air to Bharatpur and then transported by road, arriving at the district court at around 5:30 pm.
Court Information Officer Padam Aryal said the court remained open until the evening as Lamichhane was required to be released the same day. Speaking after his release, Lamichhane said justice was yet to be served and expressed hope that the country would soon see justice delivered, adding that he would speak in detail at an appropriate time.
Earlier, Lamichhane had sought release from the district court after submitting a bank guarantee, but the request was rejected. He subsequently approached the High Court. A bench comprising Judges Vasudev Acharya and Tejnarayan Poudel ordered his release under various conditions.
According to the court, Lamichhane deposited a total of Rs 374.84 million at Prabhu Bank—Rs 274.84 million as the claimed amount and Rs 100 million as bail. The court has stated that if the final verdict determines a higher amount, the additional sum will be recoverable.
Previously, on Magh 13, 2081 BS, the Rupandehi District Court had ordered Lamichhane’s release on bail of Rs 100 million. Both sides later appealed, and in Chaitra 2081 BS the High Court ordered him to be remanded in custody for trial.
Lamichhane was initially sent to Bhairahawa Prison and later transferred to Kathmandu Prison on Shrawan 31 following his request.
In the Supreme Cooperative case, 42 individuals, including Lamichhane, Chhabi and GB Rai, have been named as defendants, accused of embezzling more than Rs 5.5 billion. Of that amount, Lamichhane, Chhabi and GB Rai, along with four others, are accused of separately embezzling Rs 109.936 million. The High Court accepted Lamichhane’s request for release after he deposited bail corresponding to the amount attributed to him.
