KATHMANDU — Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Ravi Lamichhane continues to navigate a turbulent legal journey marked by allegations of cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering. Over the years, the media-figure-turned-politician has faced multiple arrests, court trials, and periods of incarceration before securing conditional release.
Lamichhane was first arrested on August 15, 2019 (Saun 30, 2076) from the News 24 Television studio in connection with an abetment to suicide charge following the death of journalist Salikram Pudasaini in Chitwan. After spending 11 days in police custody, he was released on bail by the Chitwan District Court.
He was arrested for the second time on October 18, 2024 (Kattik 2, 2081) from the RSP central office in Kathmandu over allegations of misapproprating funds from Pokhara’s Suryadarshan Cooperative and transferring them illegally into Gorkha Media Network. Taken into custody by Kaski Police, he underwent extensive interrogation across Pokhara, Bhairahawa, and Chitwan as authorities repeatedly extended his remand.
Following formal charges filed at the Kaski District Court in December 2024, Lamichhane was suspended as a Member of Parliament. Subsequent charges were filed against him in Kathmandu (Swarnalaxmi Cooperative) and Rupandehi (Supreme Cooperative). Although he secured bail and conditional releases from district courts in Kaski, Kathmandu, and Rupandehi, his legal troubles escalated when the Butwal Bench of the Tulsipur High Court ordered his imprisonment in April 2025—a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in May 2025.
Later transferred from Rupandehi Prison to Nakkhu Prison, Lamichhane briefly exited the facility during the Gen-Z protests in September 2025 before returning amid widespread public scrutiny. On December 18, 2025 (Pus 3, 2082), the Tulsipur High Court ordered his release on ordinary date (tarekh), allowing him to return to public life as legal proceedings continue.