RUPANDEHI: Rabi Lamichhane, president of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, currently jailed in Rupandehi on charges including cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering, has filed a petition seeking release on bank guarantee under Sections 68 and 71 of the Criminal (Code) Act, 2017.

He denies involvement in the case and requests bail by depositing an amount equivalent to his share of the fine. The petition was submitted on August 4 but remained confidential for several days.

Lamichhane has been in Rupandehi jail since April 7 and requested a transfer to Kathmandu jail, which was denied by the Home Ministry.

Earlier, the Rupandehi District Court had granted bail on Rs 10 million, but the High Court overturned the decision and ordered his detention for trial.

Previously, Lamichhane had spent 84 days in custody related to the case, was released, and remained free for 25 days before being re-arrested.