Rabi Lamichhane to release on bail

Friday, December 19, 2025  

 The High Court Tulsipur (Butwal Bench) has issued an order to release Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane on bail following his detention related to a high-profile cooperative fraud investigation.

The decision comes as Lamichhane a former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of Nepal continues to face multiple charges in connection with alleged embezzlement and organised financial crime involving cooperative funds

Court’s Decision and Next Steps

• The High Court’s bench of Justices Basudev Acharya and Tejnarayan Paudel granted the bail order late Thursday night, instructing that Lamichhane be released upon completion of the legal bail process.
• Lamichhane, who is currently held at Nakkhu Prison in Lalitpur, must complete required paperwork and procedures before the release is finalised.
• Court officials confirmed that due to administrative timelines and Lamichhane’s current location in custody, his actual release may occur Saturday morning, when the bail formalities are expected to be concluded.

Lamichhane’s detention had significant political consequences:

• He previously lost his parliamentary seat and RSP chairmanship amid legal battles.
• His arrest sparked intense media and public attention, and his potential release is expected to impact Nepal’s political landscape, especially with elections on the horizon.
• Supporters of Lamichhane celebrated the court’s decision, viewing it as restoration of legal fairness.
• Critics, including those affected by cooperative fraud cases, expressed concern that bail could undermine accountability in high-level financial crime investigations.

Once released on bail, Lamichhane will be required to:

• Attend subsequent court hearings as mandated.
• Adhere to any bail conditions imposed by the High Court.
• Participate in ongoing legal proceedings related to the cooperative fraud cases filed against him across multiple district courts.

More details will be published as additional official statements and court documents become available.