KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has urged authorities to release Chairman Rabi Lamichhane from custody and conduct an investigation into the charges of misappropriating cooperative funds against him.
In a statement released on Wednesday morning, RSP Acting Spokesperson Manish Jha asserted that there is no basis for Lamichhane’s detention and expressed concern over the repeated attempts to extend his custody.
He emphasized the necessity of legal arrangements that would facilitate an investigation while allowing the chairman to remain out of custody.
Jha stated, “We urge all concerned parties to implement legal measures that facilitate investigation without detaining the party Chairman.”
On Tuesday, the Kaski District Court extended Lamichhane’s detention for the third time, permitting police to hold him for an additional five days for further investigation.
The RSP also condemned the police’s use of excessive force during a peaceful protest in Pokhara on Tuesday, which was held in response to Lamichhane’s arrest and to seek justice for victims of the cooperative misappropriation.
Jha reported that police fired six rounds of tear gas, used batons, and arrested 15 demonstrators during the protest.
Additionally, Jha accused the police of manhandling journalists, including Rajkumar Majhi, who were covering the demonstration, and vandalizing media equipment.
He noted that a Parliamentary Inquiry Committee had previously investigated the matter and concluded that Lamichhane was not involved in the misappropriation of cooperative funds.
Meanwhile, Jha announced that RSP protests would continue today at 4 pm in various districts across the country, including Pokhara.
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