The High Court in Pokhara has overturned the District Court of Kaski’s order, ruling that the hearing on the petition to amend the case against Ravi Lamichhane should not be halted. Attorney General Savita Bhandari had authorized government lawyers to withdraw charges related to money laundering and organized crime against Lamichhane. Following the High Court’s directive, the District Court of Kaski will proceed to hear and decide on the petition to amend the case, which could help remove the suspension of Lamichhane’s parliamentary seat.
On June 16, Kathmandu – The bench of the High Court in Pokhara, comprising Justice Dr. Ratna Bahadur Bagchand and Merina Shrestha, issued an order on Thursday asserting that the hearing on the petition to amend the case against Ravi Lamichhane should not be stopped, reversing the Kaski District Court’s earlier decision. This order opens the path for the government’s attorney office to have the amendment petition heard. If approved, the charges of organized crime and money laundering against Lamichhane may be withdrawn.
According to the Attorney General’s directive, government lawyers were permitted to amend the allegations concerning money laundering and organized crime against Ravi Lamichhane. Meanwhile, three writ petitions have been registered in the Supreme Court related to this matter. The High Court clarified that the Kaski District Court must proceed with the process, and remaining actions will follow after decisions by the Supreme Court.
In the upcoming hearing, government lawyers will argue on withdrawing the money laundering and organized crime charges. Should the District Court of Kaski grant this permission, only the cooperative fraud case against Ravi Lamichhane will remain.
