Rabi Lamichhane denies role in loan payments via Gorkha Media cheques

Kathmandu, December 22 — Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane has denied any involvement in the payment of loans through cheques from the Gorkha Media Network account.

According to the charge sheet filed at the Kaski District Court, Lamichhane expressed ignorance about the payments made via cheques, stating, "Gorkha Media had a fixed system for issuing cheques for payments, which was fully controlled by the Executive Chairman GB Rai. The GB Group of Companies, under his direction, monitored and managed these transactions."

He further stated, "Payments were only processed after multiple stages of approval, including permission from GB Rai, and were recommended by Rabina Rimal, an accounting officer of the company. These cheques were verified by me and Operations Head Pushpraj Giri, and only after that were they signed by me."

He clarified that numerous payments were made through cheques under GB Rai’s instructions.

Lamichhane stated, "Each payment process was controlled by investor GB Rai, who would verify and authorize cheques at different stages. Each cheque was accompanied by supporting documents such as bills or vouchers, or in cases where they were not available, cheques were issued under the instructions of the Executive Chairman."

Lamichhane also mentioned that while he was at Galaxy 4K Television, he was unaware of any decision to take loans from cooperatives, including Suryadarshan.

He emphasized that neither formal nor informal communication regarding the loans was provided to him.

Lamichhane added, "Therefore, there was no reason or basis for me to understand that cheques issued by Gorkha Media were related to any loan, principal, or interest payments."