Former DPM Lamichhane summoned by Rupandehi Police

Kathmandu, November 2 — Former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane has been summoned by the Rupandehi police. He was arrested on October 18, for allegedly being involved in the misappropriation of funds from the Surya Darshan Cooperative, and he is currently in custody at the District Police Office in Kaski.

Investigation officers have taken his statement regarding the misappropriation of Surya Darshan’s funds. On October 30, they completed the statement, which was certified by Kamala Kafle, the district attorney at the Kaski District Government Attorney’s Office, and investigation officer DSP Basanta Sharma.

Rupandehi SP Ranjit Singh Rathour informed Ratopati that a letter has been sent to summon Lamichhane for an investigation into the funds misappropriated from the Supreme Savings and Credit Cooperative located in Butwal. He stated, "We have sent a letter to Kaski Police, and we will bring him in for questioning after the Tihar holiday."

It has been found that Lamichhane received a loan from the Supreme Savings and Credit Cooperative in Butwal. He took out a loan of 20 million NPR on April 1, 2021. According to an indictment filed in the Rupandehi District Court in April 2024, the funds were deposited into the account of Gorkha Media Network at Global IME Bank Limited.

A case has already been filed in court against 28 individuals, including Gitendra Babu (GB) Rai from Okhaldhunga and former Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun's son Dipesh Kumar Pun. However, questions arose as to why Lamichhane was not included as a defendant at that time. Consequently, the local police station in Butwal is conducting a supplementary investigation against Lamichhane.

The police report submitted in April 2024 mentions Lamichhane as follows: "Rabi Lamichhane, Gorkha Media Network: 20 million NPR." The report shows that the amount was processed in Lamichhane's name and that on April 1, 2021, the organization deposited 19.6 million NPR after deducting a service fee of 400,000 NPR into the account of Global IME Bank Limited.

The voucher for the loan issued in Lamichhane's name was approved by Sagar KC, who is currently at large. Sagar KC allegedly approved the voucher, allowing Roshani Gurung to deposit funds into the bank account belonging to Gorkha Media Network, as stated in the indictment.

According to Article 122 of the Cooperative Act of 2017, there are legal provisions for punishment if someone obtains a loan by providing false or incorrect information or creates artificial businesses for the purpose of obtaining or giving loans.

Rabi Lamichhane was the managing director of Gorkha Media Network. It has been found that the group led by former president GB Rai, who is a patron of Supreme, invested more than 140 million NPR from the cooperative into Gorakha Media Network, which includes the 20 million NPR attributed to Lamichhane.