Crisis deepens for UML’s Rishikesh Pokharel as personal secretary accused of fraud after wife

KATHMANDU: The crisis surrounding CPN-UML MP and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Rishikesh Pokharel, continues to escalate as fresh fraud allegations emerge involving his personal secretary.

Pokharel’s wife, Anjala Koirala, remains absconding after being implicated in a cooperative fraud case. She is accused of defrauding the Umagauri Agricultural Cooperative Society in Morang, a cooperative that was reportedly initiated by Pokharel himself.

The Morang Public Prosecutor’s Office has filed charges against 26 individuals, including Koirala, with the Morang District Court. However, Koirala has not appeared in court, and a 35-day deadline for her to do so has already passed.

Meanwhile, Pokharel’s personal secretary, Anil Kumar Pokharel, is entangled in a separate fraud case. Anil, a member of the UML Morang District Committee, is accused of defrauding a family out of more than Rs 3.8 million.

He allegedly promised to help Diksha Chaudhary pass the MBBS entrance exam, but after she failed, he forged documents claiming the Chaudhary family owed him Rs 5 million.

The Chaudhary family filed complaints with both the District Police Office, Morang, and the Area Police Office, Rangeli, but their complaints were initially dismissed, allegedly due to Pokharel’s influence.

As a result, the Chaudhary family took the matter to the Morang High Court, which issued a mandate for further investigation into Anil’s actions.

Despite this, Rishikesh Pokharel had retained Anil as his personal secretary until recently. In response to the court’s findings, Rishikesh has now officially removed Anil from his position, with a letter sent to the Federal Parliament Secretariat confirming the dismissal.

In a letter made public by the Federal Parliament Secretariat, Rishikesh acknowledged the legal issues surrounding his secretary and requested that Anil be removed to allow for the investigation to proceed.

“I request that Anil Pokharel be removed from his position as my personal secretary with effect from today,” the letter read.

Rishikesh’s political position has come under scrutiny as both his wife and personal secretary face legal challenges.

Lawmakers, including those from the ruling party, have raised questions about Rishikesh’s role in protecting his wife from legal repercussions.

With the situation intensifying, questions are being asked about the integrity and actions of the Public Accounts Committee Chairman.