KATHMANDU: Former Home Minister and Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, has denied any involvement in the ongoing cooperative fraud case.
Lamichhane, who previously served as the managing director of Galaxy Television, was summoned by the parliamentary investigation committee at Singha Durbar on Friday, where he was questioned until late into the night for nine hours.
The investigation focuses on allegations of embezzlement involving funds from the Suryadarshan Cooperative in Pokhara, the Supreme Cooperative in Butwal, and the Sahara Cooperative in Chitwan.
It is alleged that these funds were diverted through Gorkha Media, where Lamichhane was employed.
“I was unaware of GB Rai’s cooperative and had no idea that Gorkha Media was being operated with money from these cooperatives,” Lamichhane said.
He explained that he was paid Rs 500,000 per month and promised a 15 percent share in the company, but he did not invest in any shares.
“I was granted a 15 percent share as part of my salary. As an employee, I saw no need to question where the money was coming from or how it was being managed.”
Lamichhane also refuted claims that he had taken a loan of Rs 10 million.
“I am unaware of that loan. I have no idea whether it was paid or not. I later discovered that GB Rai had opened a new account and taken out a loan,” he stated.
Further, Lamichhane alleged that while he was serving as Home Minister, efforts were made to locate GB Rai, but the government obstructed these efforts.
“Some of my colleagues who were in the government at the time were involved in helping GB Rai escape,” Lamichhane added.
According to Surya Bahadur Thapa, Chairman of the parliamentary committee, the investigation report was signed at 1:05 AM, with further inquiries still ongoing.
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