Kathmandu: CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has strongly criticized the Attorney General’s Office for moving to withdraw cases against Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Ravi Lamichhane, saying the move has “tarnished history” and exposed the collapse of rule of law in the country.

Speaking at the 42nd Piskar Martyr Memorial Day programme organized in Kathmandu on Thursday, Oli said Nepal no longer resembles a state governed by law and order. He remarked that good governance is absent and that even serious criminal cases are being altered or forgiven under political influence.

“No Rule of Law in the Country”
Oli said the present situation shows that no one is accountable to the law. He sarcastically questioned whether the Attorney General’s Office would compensate victims after withdrawing cases related to alleged fraud.

“We are witnessing what kind of government and governance exist in Nepal today,” Oli said. “Even if someone is cheated, cases are changed or general amnesty is granted. Charges are altered, and those accused are turned into heroes during elections. This is shameful.”

He added that the Attorney General’s Office has become a “matter of disgrace for history.”

Background of the Case
Attorney General Savita Bhandari recently instructed government attorneys to amend organized crime and money laundering chargesheets filed against Ravi Lamichhane in various district courts. Acting on Lamichhane’s application, instructions were issued on Tuesday to government attorneys in Kaski, Rupandehi, Kathmandu and Parsa.

Following the instruction, district government attorneys may seek court permission to amend the existing chargesheets. The respective district courts will decide whether to allow the amendments. If rejected, the original chargesheets will remain in place. Legal experts say the dispute could ultimately reach the Supreme Court.

Earlier Decisions and Ongoing Legal Disputes
This is not the first time Lamichhane has benefited from decisions of the Attorney General’s Office. During the tenure of the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government, the Attorney General’s Office had earlier decided not to prosecute him in a case related to dual citizenship and passport use. A writ petition challenging that decision is still pending before the Supreme Court.

Lamichhane was recently released from Nakkhu Prison after posting bail. He was freed on Poush 4 after depositing Rs 27.484 crore as compensation.

Election Ambitions and Legal Hurdles
Lamichhane has expressed his intention to contest the House of Representatives elections scheduled for Falgun 21. However, the pending money laundering case poses a legal obstacle to his candidacy.

Under Section 27 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, any public office holder is automatically suspended once a chargesheet is filed and remains suspended until the case is resolved. Lamichhane was suspended last year after a chargesheet was filed against him in the Kaski District Court under the same law.

Critics argue that the move to amend or withdraw charges is aimed at clearing the way for his political return, raising serious concerns about judicial independence and the rule of law.