KATHMANDU: Despite being ordered to remain in custody by the Supreme Court over his alleged involvement in a serious cooperative fraud case, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chair Rabi Lamichhane appears focused on rallying public sentiment in his favor.
As part of the party’s third founding anniversary, Lamichhane released a lengthy written statement claiming the judiciary had also been unfair to him. Since then, he has been actively seeking public sympathy and appears to be successfully drawing support from public figures.
One prominent example is acclaimed actor Bipin Karki, who on Sunday visited the RSP headquarters in Chyasal, Banasthali, to sign a petition supporting Lamichhane. RSP treasurer Deepak Bohora confirmed Karki’s participation.
The party launched the signature campaign on Asar 7 under the banner of opposing ‘political vendetta.’ Lamichhane’s 20-page document released during the anniversary elaborates on this campaign and outlines his defense.
Lamichhane, a former deputy prime minister and home minister, lost his ministerial post once before due to a dual citizenship controversy involving a U.S. passport. In his second term, he is now facing charges related to money laundering, organized crime, and fraud.
He is currently detained at the Bhairahawa prison under a remand order from the Butwal bench of the High Court Dang, which the Supreme Court has upheld. The case involves alleged embezzlement of savings from the Butwal-based Supreme Cooperative.
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