Kathmandu, January 20
Former DIG of Nepal Police, Chhabi Lal Joshi, accused in the Swarnalaxmi Cooperative fraud case, will remain in police custody as the court hearing was not concluded on Sunday.
Joshi appeared at the Kathmandu District Court, but the debate on his detention could not be completed. According to SP Nawaraj Adhikari of the Kathmandu Police, Joshi has been kept in the custody of the District Police Office as per the court’s order. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Monday.
A case has been filed against Joshi and others on charges of organized fraud. His hearing was held at the bench of Judge Thakur Prasad Kharel. Previously, Joshi faced similar charges in Kaski District Court, including fraud, organised crime, and money laundering, where he was released on bail after posting Rs 8.8 million.
The Swarnalaxmi Cooperative fraud case has named 39 individuals as defendants. The cooperative is accused of embezzling Rs 1.19 billion from 690 depositors.
In connection to the same case, Sunita Newa, a member of the cooperative’s accounting committee, and Kamal Lama, a member of the board of directors, were released on bail after posting Rs 400,000 and Rs 300,000, respectively.
Similarly, Rabi Lamichhane, president of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and former Home Minister, was released on bail after posting Rs 6 million.
