KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane is scheduled to return to Pokhara on Thursday evening after completing his statement recording in Rupandehi. According to a source from the RSP Secretariat, Lamichhane is expected to finish his statement by 4 PM, with plans to depart Rupandehi on a 4:45 PM flight.

On Kartik 25, the Kaski District Court granted an additional 13-day remand for further investigation into Lamichhane’s involvement in a cooperative fraud case. His time spent in Rupandehi is considered part of his remand in Kaski as the investigation is under Kaski’s jurisdiction.

Lamichhane has been the subject of an investigation for embezzlement of funds from the Supreme Cooperative in Butwal since his arrest in Kathmandu on Kartik 2 on charges of cooperative fraud. He was taken three days ago to the district attorney's office in Bhairahawa after the Rupandehi District Court issued an arrest warrant for him.

To protest Lamichhane’s detention, RSP organized a motorbike rally from Butwal to Bhairahawa on Thursday. The rally was a demonstration of support for Lamichhane, as his remand periods have been extended multiple times.

The latest extension of Lamichhane’s remand, approved by Judge Nabaraj Dahal of the Kaski District Court, adds another 13 days for further investigation into the case.