Aug 01, Kathmandu - To address the rising cases of cooperative fraud and ensure swift justice for victims, a dedicated bench for hearing cooperative crimes has been proposed at the district court level.

The study team formed by the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation concluded that a specialized bench is essential for the effective hearing of cooperative fraud cases. The report has been submitted to the Supreme Court for consideration.

The ministry has handed over the report to Chief Justice Dr. Manoj Sharma.

According to the report, cooperative fraud is a socio-economic crime distinct from ordinary fraud, which not only affects thousands of savers' assets but also impacts the country's financial system and public trust. Therefore, such cases require prioritized handling.

The study team highlighted that prolonged consideration of cooperative fraud cases—often taking years—prevents victims from recovering their savings, leads to delays in justice, and creates opportunities for perpetrators to exploit legal loopholes.

To prevent these issues and restore public confidence in the cooperative sector, the report emphasizes the need to establish a dedicated bench to deliver timely justice to victims.