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A chargesheet has been filed at the Kaski District Court against Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairperson and former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, along with five others, accusing them of cooperative fraud, organized crimes and money laundering. The case centers on the alleged embezzlement of funds from the Surya Darshan Cooperative in Pokhara, with claims that a portion of the funds was diverted to Gorkha Media Pvt Ltd.

Chief District Attorney Kamala Kafle stated that the case implicates 44 individuals and organizations. This follows an earlier charge against GB Rai, chairperson of Gorkha Media, and 18 others, bringing the total number of defendants to 63. The damages sought from Lamichhane and his co-defendants amount to approximately Rs 1.51bn.

The government attorney’s office alleges that Lamichhane and his associates operated as an organized group to defraud the cooperative and launder the misappropriated funds. Evidence includes checks issued under the cooperative’s name, linking the funds to Gorkha Media. Lamichhane has denied involvement, claiming that the checks were misused without his consent during his tenure as the managing director of Gorkha Media Network (GMN). However, police investigations revealed loans, including Rs 4.6m each from Swarnalakshmi Cooperative, used to purchase vehicles in the names of Lamichhane and Rai.

A parliamentary panel formed under CPN-UML MP Surya Thapa found funneling of Rs 224.6m from six cooperatives, including Surya Darshan, into GMN. The panel recommended legal action against Lamichhane and others, leading to arrests and ongoing legal proceedings. Lamichhane’s wife, Nikita Poudel, has also been implicated, with allegations of illegally amassing Rs 280m. Four others—Padma Banjade, Rojak Joshi, Radha Pachhai, and Geeta Pachhai—have been named for property confiscation.

Assistant District Attorney Shantidevi Sharma clarified that if their assets are proven to be linked to criminal activities, only the claimed amounts will be seized without additional penalties.

The investigation, based on reports from Pokhara Metropolitan City and a parliamentary committee, exposed widespread misuse of cooperative funds. The panel’s report was submitted to the government, which directed agencies to expedite action.

Lamichhane was arrested on Oct 19 after the Kaski District Court issued an arrest warrant against him. The opposition Nepali Congress had made cooperative fraud a key issue in parliament, making way for the formation of a special probe committee under Thapa. Nepal Police, following directives from Home Affairs Minister Ramesh Lekhak, has sought international assistance, after which INTERPOL issued a diffusion notice for Rai, who remains at large.

A chargesheet has been filed against Rabi Lamichhane, the President of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), at the Kaski District Court. Lamichhane is presently in the police custody in Kaski for his alleged involvement in the misappropriation of cooperative funds.

District Court's information officer, Suraj Adhikari, said other accused in the misappropriation of cooperatives funds faced the chargesheet along with Lamichhane.  "Now the verification of the documents is going on and they will be registered today itself." 

Lamichhane is alleged of embezzlement of the funds of Pokhara-based Surya Darshan Savings and Cooperatives Limited and he remains in police custody since October 18. He was apprehended from Kathmandu and was escorted to Kaski.

He is being investigated for accusations of misuse of cooperative funds in other districts as well.

Dec 19, Balkot, Bhaktapur

“This country will never improve, believe me,” a man declared as I entered the teashop. His voice, laden with frustration, carried across the room. “People are suffering endlessly—corruption is rampant, and those aligned with the major political parties are getting richer, while people like us continue to struggle.”

The conversation quickly shifted to Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane, turning the teashop into a lively arena of debate. “Look,” one man said in Lamichhane’s defense, “the media allegations about his unusual bank transactions have already been proven baseless. His wife clarified they’re just repaying a home loan in installments.”

Not everyone was convinced. Another participant retorted, “The details of the ongoing police investigation are still unclear. Let’s not jump to conclusions.”

Since starting this column, I’ve noticed Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah rarely faces criticism, while opinions on Lamichhane remain sharply divided. In this teashop, too, some argued that Nepali Congress and CPN-UML supporters were targeting Lamichhane out of political vendetta, while others accused him of involvement in cooperative fraud.

The discussion veered towards the apparent disinterest of Nepali youth in politics. “Young people in their 20s today have no understanding of the political movements of 2006-2007, or even the contributions of Nepali Congress and CPN-UML,” commented a participant who seemed educated and politically aware.

According to him, the younger generation’s detachment stems from the lack of coverage of Nepal’s significant democratic milestones—like the movements of 1950, 1980, 1990, and 2006—in the school curriculum. “They don’t value democracy because they’ve never experienced autocracy,” he stated, as others listened in reflective silence.

He reminisced about his college days when campuses were vibrant political hubs. “Now, private colleges are politically apathetic. Government colleges still show some awareness, but it’s fading fast,” he said with concern.

Another voice in the room offered a starkly different perspective. “The root of Nepal’s problems lies in the end of the Panchayat regime in 1990 and the premature establishment of democracy,” he asserted. Democracy, he claimed, deeply politicized Nepali society and fractured its unity. “Before 1990, we were united. Our forefathers helped one another, and there was a sense of community. Now, politics has divided us.”

While some nodded in agreement, others appeared skeptical, challenging his romanticized portrayal of the past.

As expected, the conversation shifted again, this time to the escalating trend of youth migration for education and employment abroad. Most blamed political instability and job scarcity, but one person took a different stance. “It’s not just unemployment,” he said. “Today’s youth migrate for luxury. They see the affluence of wealthy countries and dream of that lifestyle, even if they can earn well here.”

He argued that migration is a global phenomenon, not limited to Nepal. “Even in countries like China and India, youth are leaving. Job creation and political stability might not solve this entirely,” he said, expressing concern over Nepal’s ageing population. “Soon, countries like Japan, South Korea, and Germany, which face their own ageing crises, will offer attractive packages to lure our workers.”

Another participant turned the focus to internal migration and its consequences. “As people flock to Kathmandu for education and jobs, fertile land in villages is being abandoned,” he lamented. “If another crisis like Covid-19 forces us back to the villages, we’ll face severe problems with no food to sustain us.”

The discussion also touched on the rampant spread of misinformation. One man claimed Prime Minister Oli had been attacked during a visit to Banepa, only to be contradicted by another participant who called the video fake. “How can it be fake when there’s a video?” another argued, illustrating the confusion sowed by unverified information.

The topic then shifted to a recent video of UML leader Surya Thapa, head of the parliamentary probe panel investigating cooperative fraud. In the video, widely shared on social media, Thapa defended Rabi Lamichhane, stating no evidence linked him to the cooperative scandal. The debate over the authenticity of such claims reflected the broader challenge of discerning truth in a digitally driven society.

The Kaski District Court has granted four days of time to the Nepal Police to keep Rabi Lamichhane, President of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and former home minister, in custody.

A single bench of district judge Himlal Belbase remanded Lamichhane for four more days, Spokesperson of District Police Office, Kaski, Basanta Kumar Sharma said.

So far, the court granted the Nepal Police to keep Lamichhane in police custody for the eighth time. Lamichhane was earlier arrested for an investigation into a case relating to the cooperatives’ funds misappropriation.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chairman and former Deputy Prime Minister Rabi Lamichhane has spent 13 days in police custody in Kaski, sparking street protests from his party members and supporters who argue his arrest is politically motivated. They contend Lamichhane is uninvolved in the alleged misappropriation of cooperative funds and that his detention is intended to weaken RSP. Lamichhane, previously a TV show presenter and managing director of Gorkha Media, which owns Galaxy Television, was arrested based on a parliamentary probe into cooperative fund misuse nationwide.

Some cooperative victims have filed cases against Lamichhane in Pokhara and Lumbini. While the parliamentary panel found no direct evidence linking Lamichhane to cooperative fraud, it noted substantial cooperative funds had flowed into Gorkha Media, where Lamichhane holds a minor share and acted as managing director. Police are investigating him on charges of cooperative fraud, money laundering, and organized crime. Reports indicate JB Rai, a key figure connected to the case, is in communication with state authorities, signaling his willingness to return to Nepal and assist in the investigation.

The Rupandehi court has permitted police to arrest Lamichhane for further inquiry, suggesting that the process may extend, particularly given the money laundering charges. Lamichhane’s lawyers argue that his role as managing director of Gorkha Media does not inherently imply misappropriation, emphasizing that his lack of direct involvement in cooperatives exempts him from fraud charges. Meanwhile, RSP leaders claim Lamichhane’s arrest is part of a broader political agenda to hinder RSP’s influence, which critics view as an attempt to interfere with judicial processes through public protests and pressure on the government. They are also said to be in talks with the ruling parties to make an environment for his release stating that investigation can be continued even after freeing him.

Lamichhane, who transitioned from popular television host to political leader, founded RSP in 2022. His efforts to advocate for Nepali migrant workers and expose corruption earned him substantial public support, propelling his party to become the fourth-largest in the House of Representatives with 21 seats. 

Growing public dissatisfaction against major political parties—Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center)—also helped the party. Initially, RSP had few prominent faces aside from Lamichhane, but figures like Swarnim Wagle have since joined, expanding the party's profile.

Lamichhane’s political career was hit by one controversy after another right from the beginning. Soon after he was elected to the House of Representatives and became Minister for Home Affairs, the legality of his citizenship came into question. He was also accused of holding dual passports. He lost his parliament seat over his citizenship controversy and had to re-contest the election from Chitwan, which he won comfortably.  The issue of his citizenship has already been resolved but the one relating to his alleged dual passport still remains.

Lamichhane’s arrest over cooperative fraud has polarized public opinion. Some view it as a necessary legal action following parliamentary recommendations, while others see it as an orchestrated attack by established parties seeking to stymie RSP’s rise. RSP leaders highlight inconsistencies in enforcement, citing the government’s reluctance to arrest figures linked to cooperative fraud within the ruling coalition, such as Dhana Raj Gurung from Nepali Congress and others associated with CPN-UML. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli noted that 600 arrests have been made in connection with cooperative fraud, though RSP claims selective enforcement targeting Lamichhane alone is politically driven.

The 2022 general elections and subsequent by-elections indicated that RSP could pose a significant threat to the three major parties. But whether Lamichane’s arrest could benefit the party or affect its popularity remains unknown. Already, there are concerns that if Lamichhane gets convicted, the party could face a political setback. RSP is yet to build its organizational structure, particularly at the local level. The party has solely relied on its popularity as an alternative political force against the old parties to win votes. 

Now amid Lamichhane’s prolonged detention, his party is concerned by signals indicating his potential detention until the Chhath festival. RSP leaders say this extension represents systematic harassment and misuse of state resources. The Kaski District Government Attorney's Office will decide whether to formally charge Lamichhane based on the ongoing police investigation. If charged, he would face suspension from his parliamentary seat and trials in Rupandehi and Chitwan for alleged involvement in cooperative fraud.

The RSP has adopted a dual strategy of mobilizing street protests and engaging in dialogues with other political entities to secure Lamichhane’s release. They have organized a protest coordination committee led by Vice-chairman Dol Prasad Aryal, alongside a political-civic dialogue committee headed by Wagle, to build alliances with like-minded parties, civil society, and the public. Although RSP’s constitution allows its vice-chairpersons to manage operations in Lamichhane’s absence, internal confusion over shared responsibilities has prevented the appointment of an acting president.

With RSP claiming retaliatory state actions against their leader, they continue to press for his release, advocating for an investigation that respects due process while cautioning against a selective legal approach that could undermine public trust.

The Kaski district court on Sunday remanded former Deputy Prime Minister and chairperson of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Rabi Lamichhane, an accused in a cooperatives scam, in custody for six days amid protests in support of and against his arrest.

Responding to an arrest warrant from Kaski district authorities, a team from the Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) had arrested Lamichhane from the RSP central office in Banasthali, Kathmandu, on Oct 18 for further probes into the scam and dispatched him to face the court in Pokhara (Kaski).

Meanwhile, police intervened in the demonstrations of RSP supporters opposing Lamichhane’s arrest by firing water cannons and teargas canisters in Pokhara as they reportedly sought to enter a ‘prohibited area’. 

Kaski district administration office had issued prohibitory orders declaring Shahid Chowk and Gaihrapatan of ​​Kaski a prohibited area by banning any group of more than five people from entering the area and disallowing all kinds of demonstrations and processions there. 

It should be noted that while the supporters of Lamichhane were protesting against his arrest, victims of different cooperative scams were staging protests demanding legal action against those involved in such scams.     

Lamichhane’s arrest follows a probe report from the Parliamentary Special Committee on Cooperatives that recommended legal action against several persons, including the then managing director of Gorkha Media Network Pvt Ltd Lamichhane, its chairperson GB Rai, member Kumar Ramtel and director Chhabiraj Joshi, for “illegal transfer and misappropriation of the cooperatives’ funds”, a charge Lamichhane has denied repeatedly. Police have already arrested Joshi while Ramtel is also in custody. 

The report states that Gorkha Media had misappropriated money deposited at nine cooperatives— Suryadarshan (based in Pokhara), Supreme (Butwal), Swarnalakshmi (Kathmandu), Sahara (Chitwan), Sanopaila (Birgunj), Image, Samana, Sumeru and IME.

The report has also recommended the immediate arrest of the others accused in the case—Gitendra Babu (GB Rai), Than Bahadur Budha Magar, Dinesh Rokka, Sagar KC, Pichkan Khatun and Bhupendra Rai.

The District Administration Office Kaski has informed that the prohibitory order continues in the areas around Shahid Chowk and Gairapatan of Pokhara Metropolitan City today as well.

The local administration issued a prohibition order after demonstrations started in favor of and against Rabi Lamichhane, the President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), who was arrested in a case of misappropriation of the cooperative's savings.

Chief District Officer Bharatmani Pandey issued a notice regarding the prohibition order today, to be effective in Waichowk on the east side of Shahid Chowk, the Fishtail Gate on the west side, the Land Revenue Office to the north, and Mustang Chowk on the south side, in addition to the road area from Palikhechowk to Navin Secondary School in Gairapatan, where gathering and protesting by more than five people has been restricted.

President Lamichhane was arrested from Kathmandu on Friday and transferred to Pokhara on Saturday morning on the charge of his involvement in embezzlement of funds of Suryadarshan Cooperative of Pokhara. The Kaski District Police Office said that they are preparing to present him before the court today.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane has said that discussions are underway on the issue of bringing the main accused of cooperative fraud scam, Gitendra Babu (GB) Rai, back to Nepal.

Talking to media persons at Bharatpur airport in Chitwan today, Home Minister Lamichhane shared that he is in constant contact with the Malaysian Home Minister.

He mentioned that the location where Rai is residing has already been tracked.

On a different note, also the chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Lamichhane explained that there was no truth that problem has surfaced in government or alliance due to Rastriya Swatantra Party's ministers’ statement that they are always carrying resignation letter in their pockets.

He also mentioned that there was no truth about changing the Inspector General of Police.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Rabi Lamichhane said that the government has been trying to solve the difficulties seen in obtaining citizenship.

Inaugurating a program ' Discussion on citizenship and citizenship related issues' organized by the Home Ministry today, Deputy Prime Minister Lamichhane shared that the government was effortful to ensure citizen's constitutional rights of acquiring citizenship certificates.

"Citizens should not be deprived of constitutional rights of obtaining citizenship. Efforts are underway to remove complexities related to acquiring citizenship by formulating procedures. It is the duty and responsibility of the government to prepare laws related to citizenship addressing the complexities related to obtaining citizenship", he underlined.

Stating that the ministry has started discussions with stakeholders regarding the various issues of citizenship acquiring keeping its duty and responsibility towards the citizens in mind, the Home Minister expressed the belief that problems related to citizenship could be resolved if conclusions of the discussions with stakeholders could be included in the procedure.

The Home Ministry has been facilitating the protection of the rights of citizens, who can get citizenship by the Constitution, existing laws and rules  apart from those prohibited by laws, explained DPM Lamichhane.

He recalled that he, not only from the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, had been raising voices about the problems facing the citizens to acquire citizenship when he was working as a media person.

Saying suggestions received from discussions with experts and stakeholders would be crucial for the government, the Home Minister expected that improvements to be made in the implementation system would be a guideline for the government.

"Laws and procedures related to citizenship should be revised by including suggestions received from discussions", he explained, adding discussion related to citizenship would be held in four sessions in the program.

A writ petition has been filed against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane at the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday.

Stating that the DPM was involved in embezzling the cooperative funds, lawyer Anupam Bhattarai lodged the writ petition at the SC demanding to remove him from the post.

A single bench of Justice Tek Prasad Dhungana issued an order to register the writ petition, scrapping the previous order to not register the writ petition against the Home Minister on May 22.

The hearing for the petition has been determined for May 29.  

The writ petition has also demanded to suspend Home Minster Lamichhane from the post and scrap the letter of Office of the Attorney General. 

The letter mentioned that there is no case against Lamichhane.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Rabi Lamichhane has opined that the activities against the public aspirations and organizational spirit of police will not be accepted at any cost.

Addressing the convocation ceremony of Nepal Police, Police Inspector Basic Training 1-182, today, DPM Lamichhane directed the police officials to follow the rule of law, supremacy of constitution and government's policy and program.

Minister Lamichhane drew attention to the organization's commitment to peace and security promotion, crime control and public service delivery to provide citizen-friendly services.

He argued that the newly inducted police officials should bear the responsibility of the organization to meet the public aspirations in service delivery, corruption and crime control and keep the organization intact and effective.

Inspector General of Police Basanta Bahadur Kunwar directed the officials to use the technology for carrying out factual and evidence-based investigations in accordance with the laws and scientific way by analyzing the collected evidence and to adhere to the international standards of human rights.

On the occasion, awards were given to police inspectors Pawan Kumar Pariyar, Sagun Khadka, Ayush Dhungana and Gokul Kumar Dhanuk for their outstanding performance in various categories during the training session.

The Parliament meeting has been postponed for 15 minutes following obstructions from the main opposition Nepali Congress.

Soon after the meeting commenced, the lawmakers from the opposition parties including the Nepali Congress started chanting slogans.

Speaker Devraj Ghimire postponed the meeting for 15 minutes after the Congress lawmakers obstructed the proceedings.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is scheduled to seek a vote of confidence from the House of Representatives today.

The Congress has been obstructing the Parliament demanding formation of a parliamentary probe committee to investigate fraud charges against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.

Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane has said that the Nepali Congress offered him prime ministership for one-and-a-half years.

Addressing the Parliament meeting on Sunday, Lamichhane questioned the Congress how he can be the prime minister if he is not eligible to serve as the home minister.

“If I am not eligible to be the prime minister, what ethics will let me to be the prime minister. I would like to put this question to Parliament today,” he said “It would be better if Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba answer this issue in the Parliament. Is it good to obstruct the Parliament after I turned down the offer of prime ministership? Is the demand of the parliamentary probe committee lawful?” he questioned. 

He denied all the allegations and directed the police administration to arrest him if he is found guilty.

Home Minister Lamichhane said that he was not involved in the cooperative fraud and is ready to face action if the allegations leveled against him are proven.

A meeting of the opposition parties held on Sunday decided to allow Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane to speak in the Parliament.

The meeting of the opposition parties held at the Parliament building in New Baneshwor under the leadership of the Nepali Congress decided to allow Home Minister Lamichhane to speak in Parliament, a leader, who attended the meeting, said.

“Home Minister Lamichhane, who is accused of embezzling funds of cooperatives, has been saying he should be allowed to speak in the Parliament. He will speak in the Parliament and we will listen,” he said.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party spokesperson Gyanendra Shahi informed that the opposition parties have agreed to allow Lamichhane to speak in the Parliament.

After Lamichhane expressed his views in the Parliament, the opposition parties would seek time from the Speaker, he said.

“We will allow the Home Minister to speak in the Parliament. Then, we will ask time with the Speaker for the opposition parties to speak. Probably, Nepali Congress will speak on behalf of the opposition parties,” Shahi said.

The ruling and opposition parties have agreed to form a parliamentary committee to investigate fraud charges against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Lamichhane.

Mahesh Bartaula of CPN-UML, Jeevan Pariyar of the Nepali Congress, Shishir Khanal of the Rastriya Swatantra Party are the members of the task force formed under the headship of Law Minister Padam Giri.

A discussion among the Nepali Congress lawmakers is underway after the postponement of the meeting of the House of Representatives.

The main opposition Nepali Congress has taken a stance that it would not allow the House of function until a parliamentary committee is formed to probe fraud charges against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.

Home Minister Lamichhane has not been able to speak about the allegations leveled against him by the Congress in the Parliament.

During a Parliamentary Party meeting held on Wednesday, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli had said that his party would retaliate if the Nepali Congress obstructed the Parliament meeting.

Congress has adopted flexibility to allow Lamichhane to speak after Oli warned that the UML would speak if Lamichhane is not allowed to speak in today’s Parliament meeting.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal this morning held a meeting with the leaders of ruling coalition and the main opposition Congress to discuss the House deadlock and forming a parliamentary probe committee.

NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba has become flexible after Prime Minister Dahal urged him to allow Home Minister Lamichhane to speak in the Parliament and form the parliamentary committee later, Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak said.

“The meeting of the Congress lawmakers is underway. I am also going. Prime Minister Dahal had urged the party President Deuba to allow Home Minister Lamichhane to speak in the Parliament and form the parliamentary probe committee later,” he said, adding, “President Sher Bahadur Deuba is also positive on the same. A meeting is underway to take opinion from other friends on the issue.”

They have demanded that the Congress should also be allowed to speak after Lamichhane expressed his views.

A Parliament meeting scheduled for 11 am has been postponed for 4 pm today.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane said that he should be allowed to speak in the Parliament about the allegations leveled against him by the main opposition Nepali Congress.

He held a discussion with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli on this issue in Singha Durbar this afternoon.

Saying that all have the rights to speak in democracy, Lamichhane said that he should be allowed to clarify about the allegations leveled against him in the Parliament.

The Home Minister said that he would respect the rights of the Congress to protest if it is not satisfied with his answers.

Lamichhane said that he has no other demand than to allow him to speak in the Parliament.

The Congress has been obstructing the Parliament demanding formation of a parliamentary probe committee to investigate fraud charges against Lamichhane.