KATHMANDU: The parliamentary probe committee formed to investigate the cooperative fraud case is set to begin its investigation on Tuesday.
A seven-member committee, led by CPN-UML leader Surya Bahadur Thapa, was established earlier to probe the case.
The committee includes two representatives each from the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML, and one representative each from the CPN-Maoist Center, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).
The members are Badri Prasad Pandey and Ishwari Devi Neupane from NC, Sarita Bhushal from CPN-UML, Lekh Nath Dahal from the Maoist Center, Shishir Khanal from RSP, and Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan from RPP.
The committee is scheduled to hold a meeting at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
The government established the “Parliamentary Investigation Special Committee” following sustained pressure from the opposition alliance, led by the main opposition party, Nepali Congress.
It was agreed that the investigation would proceed without directly naming Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, who is implicated in the cooperative fraud case.
However, both ruling and opposition parties have agreed to investigate the cooperatives where Home Minister Lamichhane is suspected to be involved.
The probe panel will investigate 29 cooperatives, seeking documents and evidence from the Cooperatives Department and Board.
The focus will be on cooperatives suspected of transferring deposit money to Gorkha Media Network, a company previously associated with Home Minister Lamichhane.
The investigation will examine the status and legality of these transfers, identify those involved, find ways to reclaim depositors’ money, and recommend legal action against the culprits.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Home Minister Lamichhane is unlikely to resign from his post.
Dor Prasad Aryal, Labor Minister and Vice Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, stated, “Home Minister Lamichhane is not likely to resign. The investigation will be conducted, but it does not mean he has to resign.”
However, Pradeep Poudel, a central committee member of Nepali Congress, holds a different view.
Poudel argues that Home Minister Lamichhane should resign on moral grounds to avoid any potential influence on the investigation.
“He is the Home Minister. The investigation might get affected. Therefore, he must resign,” said Poudel.
Sources suggest that Home Minister Lamichhane might consider resigning if the investigation finds him guilty.
The committee will seek clarification from him when deemed necessary.
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