Rabi Lamichhane has been granted permission by the Chitwan District Court to appoint a representative in his ongoing fraud and organized crime case, a decision that could significantly affect how the case proceeds. The ruling comes after the court accepted his request citing health complications and inability to attend hearings regularly.
The order was issued on Monday by a bench led by Judge Kedarnath Poudel, following a hearing on Lamichhane’s petition seeking approval to assign a proxy (legal representative) for court appearances.
Court Accepts Health Grounds for Representation
Lamichhane had argued that due to illness and circumstances beyond his control, he could not consistently appear in court on scheduled dates. His legal counsel, advocate Ramchandra Devkota, emphasized both his client’s health condition and professional commitments during the hearing.
According to Devkota, the court granted permission without setting a fixed time limit, allowing Lamichhane to appoint a representative for an indefinite period.
Medical Report Plays Key Role in Decision
The court’s decision was primarily based on a medical report issued by Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. The report indicated that Lamichhane is suffering from a prostate-related health issue, which was deemed sufficient to justify his absence from regular hearings.
This medical evidence strengthened the defense’s argument that physical attendance could be difficult for the accused in the near term.
Legal Provision Supports Proxy Appointment
The order also referenced Section 95(2) of the National Criminal Procedure Code, 2017, which permits defendants to appoint a representative under specific conditions. The court found Lamichhane’s case to meet those criteria.
Additionally, the nature of the fraud charge—considered potentially reconcilable—was cited as another factor supporting the decision to allow proxy representation.
Bail Status and Court Presence Maintained
Lamichhane remains on bail after submitting a bank guarantee of Rs 5.4 million. Despite seeking proxy representation, he was present at the Chitwan District Court on Monday for his scheduled appearance.
The ruling now allows him to proceed with legal processes through a designated representative, potentially reducing the need for repeated in-person court visits as the case continues.
