POKHARA: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police has handed over Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane to Kaski Police after transporting him overnight from Kathmandu amidst protests from his supporters.
Lamichhane was taken into custody on Friday evening and brought to Pokhara via road, where he was handed over to Kaski Police early Saturday morning around 3 AM.
Upon arrival in Pokhara, Lamichhane underwent a health check-up at Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences before being transferred to the Kaski District Police Office. He is currently being held in custody at the district police station.
After being placed in custody, RSP Vice Chairs Swarnim Wagle and DP Aryal, along with Lamichhane’s wife Nikita Poudel, visited him. Meanwhile, RSP supporters continued to protest outside the police station, chanting slogans in favor of Lamichhane.
Throughout the journey to Pokhara, supporters of Lamichhane gathered at various points along the road, raising slogans in his support and criticizing the government for his arrest.
Lamichhane, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, is facing allegations of embezzling funds from cooperatives, including Surya Darshan Cooperative.
A parliamentary investigation led by MP Surya Bahadur Thapa recommended police probe into allegations that Lamichhane misused cooperative savings during his tenure as the Managing Director of Gorkha Media Network.
He is currently being charged with fraud and organized crime. Police plan to request an extension from the court on Sunday to continue their investigation while keeping Lamichhane in custody.
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