The Suryadarshan Co-operative Fraud Victims’ Struggle Committee in Pokhara has condemned what it described as an attempt to politicise the ongoing co-operative fraud case involving Rastriya Swatantra Party chief Rabi Lamichhane, and former top police official Chhabilal Joshi.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the committee accused defence lawyers of trying to influence the judiciary by linking the case with political power and government positions.

The case—concerning co-operative fraud, organised crime, and money laundering—is currently being heard at the High Court Pokhara.

The hearing began on Thursday following an appeal by the Office of the High Court Attorney challenging a previous Kaski District Court order that had released Lamichhane, Joshi, and five others on bail.

The prosecution is seeking to overturn that decision and have all seven remanded in custody for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the accused have submitted separate petitions requesting release on a general date. The hearing, which had been postponed four times, finally began on Thursday.

Defence lawyers Sushil Pant and Raman Shrestha requested another postponement that day, which the court denied. Two government lawyers presented their arguments during the session.

On Friday, Pant and Shrestha objected in court, claiming they had not been informed about the continuation of the hearing. RSP chair Lamichhane, also former home minister, has been held in Rupandehi Prison since April 4 under an order from the High Court Butwal. Joshi was refused the general dates and was held earlier. However, the High Court Pokhara stated that it had not received official confirmation of their detention.

Issuing a statement on Saturday, the victims have accused the defence lawyers of behaving inappropriately during the proceedings, causing further distress to the victims.

“A case strictly related to a co-operative fraud has continually been linked with politics and power in an attempt to discredit and influence the court,” the statement read. “We strongly object to the insult and denial of justice to the victims.”

Kiran Shrestha, coordinator of the struggle committee, said the accused had deliberately attempted to delay the court process in order to deprive victims of their right to justice.

On Friday, the bench of chief judge Ratna Bahadur Bagchand and Judge Milan Rai ordered that Lamichhane and Joshi be promptly informed about the hearing process and scheduled the next session for Sunday to continue proceedings on the pending petition.