Lamichhane pleads not guilty in Supreme Cooperative fund misappropriation case

Butwal, November 12 — Former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, who was brought to Bhairahawa from Kaski on Tuesday afternoon for questioning regarding cooperative fraud, has denied any involvement in the misappropriation of funds.

Lamichhane's statement was recorded at the District Government Attorney's Office in Rupandehi. The process was completed by 6 PM, and the statement will continue to be taken on Wednesday (tomorrow), according to SP Ranjit Singh Rathore of the District Police Office, Rupandehi.

The statement session was attended by DSP Bijay Pandit from the Butwal Area Police Office, District Attorney Premraj Poudel, and other investigation officers. They questioned Lamichhane about the misappropriation of funds from Suprem Cooperative.

Although a general inquiry was conducted on Tuesday, written questioning is expected to begin on Wednesday, as informed by District Attorney Poudel. "Today's questioning was general," he said. "From tomorrow, we will ask written questions."

Lamichhane is being kept at the District Police Office in Bhairahawa.

The investigation concerns the alleged embezzlement of 14.29 crore rupees from the Suprim Savings and Credit Cooperative, which was supposedly diverted to Gorkha Media Network Pvt. Ltd. Lamichhane has denied any involvement in taking money from the cooperative. During the questioning, he stated that he was unaware of who took the money from the cooperative or how it was taken.

According to sources involved in the investigation, Lamichhane has stated that he did not receive any money from the cooperative nor did he request or instruct anyone to take it. He was questioned about his role as the Managing Director of Gorkha Media at the time, regarding the money transferred from the cooperative to the media company.

The Parliamentary Inquiry Committee's report on the cooperative scam mentions that funds were directly transferred from Supreme Cooperative's account to the Gorkha Media Network's account, and the money was deposited by an employee named Roshani Gurung. The report also mentions that an additional 96 lakh rupees were directed in Lamichhane's name.

Protests by victims of the cooperative scam

After Lamichhane was brought to Bhairahawa, his supporters staged protests, while victims of the cooperative fraud also demonstrated, demanding a fair investigation into the scam. Upon Lamichhane's arrival at Gautam Buddha Airport in Bhairahawa, his supporters started shouting slogans, accusing major political parties of framing him.

On the other hand, victims of Supreme Cooperative in Butwal organized a protest in Bhairahawa, demanding the return of their money and punishment for the guilty parties. Bijay Nepal, the coordinator of the Supreme Cooperative Victim Struggle Committee, confirmed that their protest would continue on Wednesday as well.

Leaders of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) also held a corner meeting, accusing the government of framing Lamichhane and raising questions about other uninvestigated issues, such as human trafficking, land disputes in Baluwatar, and gold smuggling. They also criticized the lack of government action on these matters.

RSP leaders, including Deepak Bohora, JP Gupta, and Pramod Neupane, addressed the meeting, and the party's leaders and supporters have stated that their protests will continue on Wednesday.

Rabi Lamichhane has been brought to Rupandehi for investigation by the police from Kaski regarding the cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering.