Nepal Bar Association Urges AG to Revoke Decision on Ravi Lamichhane Cases

The Nepal Bar Association (NBA) has demanded the immediate reversal of the Attorney General’s decision allowing the return of two ongoing cases against Ravi Lamichhane, the chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa), related to asset cleansing and organized crime.

According to NBA General Secretary Kedar Koirala, the decision violates the principles of the rule of law. The Attorney General, Savita Bhandari, had authorized the District Government Attorney Offices to amend the two pending cases against Lamichhane.

“The decision to return the cases contradicts existing legal provisions and prior Supreme Court guidelines on case withdrawal. Such selective decisions undermine judicial jurisdiction and affect the independence of the judiciary,” the NBA said.

The Bar further stated that this decision could seriously disrupt the criminal justice system, promote executive arbitrariness, and encourage the politicization of crime, potentially leading to impunity. “It is clear that such a decision endangers the essence of criminal justice, and for the protection of the rule of law, we oppose it,” the statement read.

The NBA has formally requested the Attorney General to immediately revoke the decision.

According to the decision dated Poush 30, the AG’s office allowed amendments under Section 36 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 2074, keeping charges related to fraud and cooperative scams, but removing the organized crime and asset cleansing charges against Lamichhane. The Bar noted that this effectively cancels two of the three major charges, raising serious concerns.