The Kaski District Court has temporarily halted the process of withdrawing the organised crime and money laundering case filed against Rabi Lamichhane, GB Rai, and around 50 others. The court has directed that no further action be taken until the Supreme Court issues a final ruling.

A bench of Judge Neetij Rai on Monday ruled that, following a writ filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) decision, the withdrawal process cannot proceed immediately. “The district court will act only after receiving instructions from the Supreme Court,” said Rajan Khanal, registrar of the district court.

Attorney General Sabita Bhandari had approved on January 14 the withdrawal of organised crime and money laundering charges against Lamichhane and others, while keeping cooperative fraud cases intact. The decision authorised government prosecutors in Kaski, Rupandehi, Kathmandu, and Chitwan to amend charge-sheets accordingly.

The move to withdraw the charges sparked legal and political controversy, with critics alleging that the OAG decision was influenced by political pressure.

Yubaraj Paudel filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court on January 16, challenging the legality of the withdrawal of the offences.

Previously, the Kaski District Government Attorney’s Office had submitted an application to the district court seeking approval to amend the charge-sheet as per the OAG’s instructions. However, Monday’s hearing confirmed that no action will be taken until the Supreme Court issues its final decision.

Similar orders have already been issued by the Rupandehi District Court, where the organised crime case against Lamichhane has also been put on hold.

Cases related to cooperative fraud, organised crime, and money laundering have been filed against Lamichhane in multiple district courts, including Kaski, Rupandehi, Kathmandu, and Chitwan.