Kathmandu: In a Facebook Live broadcast from the Rastriya Swatantra Party office on Tuesday evening, Rabi Lamichhane, the chair of the fourth-largest party in parliament, addressed the recent cooperative funds misappropriation scandal. Lamichhane declared his readiness to implement recommendations made by the parliamentary special investigation committee, which, he asserted, found no evidence linking him to the cooperative fraud.
During the session, Lamichhane acknowledged his responsibility for financial mismanagement that occurred while he was with Galaxy Television. He emphasized that since funds were transferred from the cooperative to other media outlets, those entities should also face accountability.
Lamichhane referred to the committee’s chair, Surya Bahadur Thapa, who stated that he, too, is not guilty. He highlighted that the committee report clearly indicated he did not engage in borrowing funds from cooperatives for investment in the Gorkha Media Network, thereby deceiving depositors. “Let us all accept this committee decision,” he said, adding that he is prepared to take legal responsibility for any funds brought by others during his tenure at Gorkha Media.
Throughout his remarks, Lamichhane expressed concerns about potential political vendetta, suggesting that he might be arrested during the upcoming Dashain festival. “They don’t have to wait for Dashain to arrest me. I am always up for it,” he stated.
He drew parallels to past instances where political leaders have defended themselves in parliament, asserting that the truth remains unchanged regardless of political dynamics. “There is no price for the truth. Injustice cannot be done,” he insisted.
Last week, the parliamentary Special Committee of Inquiry recommended actions against those involved in the misappropriation of depositor funds, naming Lamichhane among those deemed “responsible.” Speculation surrounding his potential arrest has intensified following the detention of Chhabilal Joshi, a retired senior officer from the Nepal Police.
In response to these concerns, Nepal Police spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki stated that no preparations for Lamichhane’s arrest are currently underway. “If there is something that needs to be clarified with him, the matter will proceed,” Karki added.
Additionally, a source from the Kaski District Court in Pokhara, speaking anonymously, confirmed that no legal actions have been initiated for Lamichhane’s arrest at this time.