Suryadarshan Cooperative fraud: UML leader Pahari accused of embezzlement

Kathmandu, October 9 — Rajiv Pahari, a leader of the CPN UML, has been implicated in the embezzlement of funds from the Surya Darshan Cooperative in Pokhara, linked to Rashtriya Swotantra Party president Rabi Lamichhane. Reports indicate that Pahari has taken loans from the cooperative at various times, and currently, there is an amount of 1.5 million Nepali Rupees in his name.

The investigation committee formed by the Pokhara Metropolitan City reports that UML leader Rajiv Pahari has taken a loan of 1.5 million from the Surya Darshan Cooperative. The report notes that Pahari, a former chairman of the Yuwa Sangh, youth wing of the ruling CPN UML, withdrew funds from the cooperative on March 26, 2018.

Page number 207 of the previously confidential report mentions Pahari's name in the second entry. According to the report, Pahari withdrew a total of 1.5 million Rupees from the cooperative. On the same date, a payment of 700,000 was made to Chiring Phunsuk Thakuri via a check from Tribeni Development Bank (check number 913408), and another payment of 800,000 was made to Chiring Phoksan Thakuri via a check from Global IME Bank (check number 22098236).

The metropolitan report states, "Rajiv Pahari's advance payment account shows transactions on various dates. Among these transactions, 1.5 million is currently available."

In this case, the police are investigating allegations of embezzlement involving funds taken to Gorkha Media Network. For this investigation, they have arrested Chhabilal Joshi, a former DIG and one of the former directors of Gorkha Media.

Additionally, a case is pending against the chairman of the cooperative, GB Rai, in the Kaski District Court, and the police are preparing to file another case against him. A Red Corner Notice has also been issued to bring Rai in, but he is currently hiding in Malaysia. After the victims filed the first case, naming the president of RSP among the defendants, they submitted a supplementary complaint. Following this, since Lamichhane was the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, the police had held off on action.

Amid the controversy, the federal parliament recommended that the government take action after investigating cooperatives linked to Gorkha Media. Prior to this, the Pokhara Metropolitan City had formed a study committee led by financial expert Anil Lamichhane regarding the financial situation. This committee submitted its findings to Mayor Dhanraj Acharya on April 29, 2024. The metropolitan city had forwarded the matter to the Kaski District Police Office for investigation, but the report has remained confidential.

“I have not taken that money at all. If I had taken it, I would pay it back,” Pahari told Ratopati. “How can someone accuse me of taking it? I heard someone claimed it was given to me, but later stated they hadn't given it to me. I have no involvement in this. This is a baseless accusation.”