Maya Rai

In April 2025, Nepali Congress lawmaker Maya Rai was arrested in connection with a large-scale cooperative fraud case linked to the Swarnalakshmi Multipurpose Cooperative in Kalimati, Kathmandu. According to investigators, Rai was involved in the misappropriation of millions of rupees while serving as a board member and later as secretary of the cooperative between 2016 and 2019.^[3]

She was taken into custody from her residence in Kapan, Kathmandu, after reportedly being out of contact with authorities for over eight months.^[4]

The allegations include embezzlement of over NPR 23 million through irregular transactions during her time at the cooperative.^[5] After her arrest, the Kathmandu District Court approved a five-day remand for investigation.^[6]

Later, the Office of the Government Attorney filed formal charges under laws related to cooperative fraud and organized crime. The prosecution also submitted a supplementary case based on complaints from 20 depositors, demanding over NPR 3.7 million in restitution.^[7]