I was forced to travel in an abduction-style manner, says Rabi Lamichhane

Kaski, December 8 — The Kaski District Court has extended the remand of Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane for an additional 4 days for further investigation into the cooperative fraud charges against him. The court granted this extension on Sunday.

On Sunday, during the hearing in front of Judge Himlal Belbase, Lamichhane complained that he was brought to Pokhara overnight in a kidnapping-like manner. He stated that he was brought to Pokhara without informing his family, lawyer, or party members, and that he was forced to travel in an abduction-style manner.

Lamichhane also claimed that despite requesting the police to consider his poor health, he was brought to Pokhara at night under the pressure of the Inspector General of Police.

He said that he had been feeling unwell since his arrival in Chitwan and continued to experience a headache the following morning. Despite this, he had to take the medication provided by the police and gave his statement throughout the day. He mentioned that he had not refused to cooperate with the statement despite his discomfort.

He further stated that late at night, he was taken back from the government lawyer's office to the District Police Office and went to rest around 10 p.m. However, Lamichhane claimed that the Inspector General of Police had pressured the local police chief, instructing him to take Lamichhane immediately, even after the police chief had expressed that it wasn’t possible.

According to Lamichhane, the Inspector General even verbally abused the police chief for not complying.

Lamichhane also accused the police of ignoring his repeated requests to rest and be taken to a hospital for a check-up. He claimed that when he asked to be allowed to go to the airport at 7 a.m. the next morning, the police refused.

Lamichhane alleged that one of the police officers who came to pick him up had the smell of alcohol on his breath. He also stated that when he underwent a health check-up after arriving in Pokhara, his blood pressure was found to be 180/90.

In addition, Lamichhane expressed dissatisfaction about the media trial and continuous complaints being filed throughout the day, as well as the court's decision to extend his remand. He voiced his discontent with the way his case has been handled.

The police had requested a 13-day extension of his custody, but the court granted only a 4-day extension.