Butwal, November 14
Rabi Lamichhane, Chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, continued his testimony for the third consecutive day today, Thursday, at Bhairahawa, in connection with an investigation into alleged fund misappropriation at Butwal’s Supreme Cooperative.
Lamichhane was brought from Pokhara to the Rupandehi District Attorney’s Office in Bhairahawa, where his written statement began yesterday following 10 hours of questioning. According to Rupandehi Police Chief SP Ranjit Singh Rathore, Lamichhane’s testimony is expected to conclude today, after which he will be sent back to Pokhara.
Initially brought to Bhairahawa from Pokhara on Tuesday, Lamichhane provided an oral statement on the first day, followed by a written one starting yesterday. His testimony includes the participation of District Attorney Paudel, DSP Bijay Raj Pandit from the Area Police Office Butwal, and other investigation officers. A preliminary report will be prepared based on his statements.
Held at the Rupandehi District Police Office, Lamichhane has been escorted to and from the Attorney’s Office under tight police security, with a significant deployment of security personnel stationed around the premises.
Upon Lamichhane’s arrival in Rupandehi, both cooperative victims and supporters of the Rastriya Swatantra Party staged demonstrations in Bhairahawa. Police, however, have prohibited protests within a 100-meter radius of the District Attorney’s Office.
A parliamentary investigation report cited that Rs 19.6 million was transferred from Supreme Cooperative in Butwal to Gorkha Media Network Pvt. Ltd. in Lamichhane’s name. The report further stated that a total of Rs 142.9 million was transferred to Gorkha Media Network and other individuals, including Joshi, Lamichhane, GB Rai, Bhupendra Babu Rai, and Kumar Ramtel.
Police filed cases against 28 individuals, including Supreme Cooperative’s Chairman Om Prakash Gurung, in the Rupandehi District Court. Chairperson Gurung is currently held in the Rupandehi District Jail pending trial, while former secretary Dipesh Pun and six others have been released on bail. Statements from Kumar Ramtel and Shiva Bahadur Gurung, who were also transferred from Kaski Police custody to Bhairahawa, have already been recorded.
