KATHMANDU: The Kaski District Court has issued an arrest warrant against Rabi Lamichhane, the Chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and former Home Minister of Nepal. The court granted permission to the police to arrest Lamichhane in connection with a cooperative fraud investigation.
The parliamentary committee investigating the case had recommended legal action against Lamichhane. Although it was not proven that he directly embezzled funds from the cooperative, he has been found guilty of misusing funds that entered the company, leading to the recommendation of legal action.
On October 16, the Chief of Kaski Police personally appeared at the Kathmandu District Court to obtain the arrest warrant. Judge Krishna Jung Sah, the sole presiding judge at the time, approved the police request for Lamichhane’s arrest.
This development comes after months of political and legal scrutiny surrounding Lamichhane and his alleged involvement in the cooperative sector. The investigation stems from allegations that cooperative funds were mishandled, with Lamichhane’s name being linked to the misuse of funds, even though he did not directly receive any money from the cooperative.
The Rastriya Swatantra Party has seen a sharp rise in political prominence in Nepal, positioning itself as a reformist party advocating for transparency, economic reforms, and political accountability. Lamichhane’s arrest warrant could significantly impact the political landscape as his party prepares for upcoming elections.
As of now, Lamichhane has not made any official statement regarding the arrest warrant, but the RSP leadership is expected to respond in the coming days. The case is likely to reignite discussions about corruption and reform within Nepal’s cooperative sector and broader political sphere.
Lamichhane’s supporters have expressed concerns that the warrant is politically motivated, a claim echoed by several RSP members. They believe that old political factions are targeting their leader due to the growing influence of the RSP, which has challenged traditional power structures in the country.
The case will now move forward with Lamichhane’s potential arrest and subsequent legal proceedings. It remains to be seen how this will impact his political career and the broader dynamics of Nepali politics.