KATHMANDU: Rabi Lamichhane, the leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), made his sixth appearance in the Kaski District Court on Thursday. This follows his ongoing detention in connection with the fraud investigation by the Pokhara Suryadarshan Cooperative. After finishing his most recent 4-day jail sentence on Wednesday night, Lamichhane was brought before the court today to find out if his detention will be prolonged further.

Since his arrest in Kathmandu, Lamichhane has already been held by the police, and today's court hearing could lead to a seventh extension of his custody. As authorities continue their investigation, his detention has already been extended six times.

Among other things, Lamichhane is accused of systemic fraud, money laundering, and organized criminality. Sano Paila in Parsa (Birgunj), Swarnalaxmi in Kathmandu, Suryadarshan Cooperative in Pokhara, Supreme Cooperative in Butwal, and Sahara Cooperative in Chitwan are among the Nepalese cooperatives with which he is alleged to have engaged in fraudulent activities.

Lamichhane's repeated court appearances and prolonged detentions during the inquiry illustrate the gravity of the charges against him. There are serious worries about financial fraud and illicit activities in Nepal's cooperative sector because of his role in several cooperatives under investigation.

The conclusion of today's court hearing might affect the course of the case as well as Lamichhane's political future by determining whether his custody is maintained or whether new information is discovered during the ongoing inquiry.