Rabi Lamichhane’s Arrest is Political Revenge, Not Based on Evidence
The matter was cleared, but now a fresh arrest warrant has been issued, politicising the case. That’s why we are out on the streets today.
Kathmandu: Supporters of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have staged a protest in Maitighar Mandala today, opposing the arrest of their party president, Rabi Lamichhane. Protestors initially marched towards New Baneshwor, but were stopped by the police at Babarmahal, leading them to return to Maitighar and continue their demonstration.
RSP MP Shishir Khanal, who addressed the crowd, stated that the arrest of Lamichhane is politically motivated, describing it as an act of revenge. He said, "The cooperative investigation committee was formed based on the claim that Rabi Lamichhane used cooperative funds. However, the committee has already concluded that there is no evidence linking him to any financial misconduct. The matter was cleared, but now a fresh arrest warrant has been issued, politicising the case. That’s why we are out on the streets today."
Shishir Khanal further alleged that there is a conspiracy to undermine both Lamichhane and the RSP, vowing to continue protests until justice is served. He remarked, "It seems like new evidence is being fabricated against our president. All existing evidence has been thoroughly investigated, and he has been cooperative throughout the process. There is no need to detain him. The authorities are trying to destroy RSP by keeping him in custody."
Lamichhane was arrested by a team from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on Friday night at the party office, on charges of embezzling funds from a cooperative. He was taken to Pokhara the same night and is currently being held in the custody of the District Police Office in Kaski.
The District Police Office, Kaski, has announced that they will be filing charges against Lamichhane for organised crime and cooperative fraud. The cooperative investigation committee had earlier recommended legal action against GB Rai, Rabi Lamichhane, Kumar Ramtel, and Chhabilal Joshi, accusing them of misusing cooperative funds by funnelling them into the Gorkha Media Network.