Rabi Lamichhane in the hot seat: parliamentary committee to question ex-minister in fraud case

Kathmandu: The parliamentary special committee investigating the misappropriation, embezzlement, and fraud involving cooperatives plans to summon former Home Minister and chairman of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, for questioning.

Committee Chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa announced that Lamichhane will be called in as part of the investigation into allegations of embezzlement linked to his role as the former Managing Director of Gorkha Media Network. 

"In relation to the Managing Director of Gorkha Media Network Pvt Ltd and one of the members, the former Home Minister is under investigation by the committee," Thapa said. "This is a standard procedure."

Thapa emphasized that the committee will follow legal protocols and procedures. He clarified that the aim is not to presume guilt but to investigate based on the facts. "We are not aiming to question everyone who appears before the committee by assuming their guilt," Thapa added.

The investigation centers around allegations that funds from the Surya Darshan, Supreme, Swarnalakshmi, and Sahara cooperatives were misappropriated, with claims that millions of rupees were diverted to Gorkha Media Network.

A committee member mentioned that while Lamichhane is expected to be questioned, a specific date has not yet been set. "There have been discussions about calling Lamichhane for questioning, but the exact time has not been fixed. It may be scheduled for Wednesday's meeting. The discussions are ongoing," the member said.