Public Accounts Committee chair Pokharel’s wife released on bail in cooperative fraud case

Anjala Koirala, wife of Rishikesh Pokharel, chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives, has been released on bail after posting one million rupees. The Morang District Court ordered her release following a detention hearing on Wednesday.

Judge Uddhav Kumar Bhattarai presided over the hearing, where Koirala was directed to post bail instead of remaining in custody. Koirala had appeared in court the same morning and provided her statement before arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.

The case involves the alleged embezzlement of Rs220 million from the Uma Gauri Agricultural Cooperative in Morang’s Dhanpalthan Rural Municipality-4, where Koirala served on the board since fiscal year 2072/073. A total of 26 individuals, including cooperative chairperson Shambhu Rauniyar, face charges, with 24 still absconding.

Koirala’s defence team consisted of nine senior advocates and 11 legal representatives who argued for her release. Earlier, Santlal Khawas, a ward chair from Rangeli-2 and another accused in the case was also released on bail.

The District Attorney’s Office claims the cooperative funds were systematically misappropriated, affecting members and stakeholders. Investigations are ongoing.