CHITWAN, Dec 5: The statement of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane, brought in on charges of misappropriating funds from Sahara Chitwan Multipurpose Cooperative, has concluded.
Lamichhane's statement, which began on Tuesday, concluded at 8 PM on Wednesday. "The statement has been concluded for now, with the possibility of summoning him again if further issues arise during the investigation," said District Public Prosecutor Shantiraj Luitel.
According to Luitel, over 70 questions were asked to Lamichhane during these two days. He said that a written statement was recorded from Lamichhane. The statement was taken by the investigating officer in the presence of the District Government Attorney's Office in Chitwan.
The statement was recorded starting at 1 pm on Tuesday. On Wednesday, it was taken from 10 am to 8 pm, he said. He also mentioned that the written statement has been verified.
Lamichhane, who was arrested in connection with the Suryadarshan Cooperative fraud case in Pokhara, was brought to Chitwan on Tuesday to record his statement regarding the misappropriation of Sahara's funds. District Police Office Chitwan spokesperson Bhesh Raj Rijal informed Republica that Lamichhane has been sent back to Pokhara on Wednesday night.
More troubling questions than answers after Shiran Technologies...
Lamichhane is under investigation for cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering. It has been found that Rs 108.18 million was transferred from Sahara Chitwan Cooperative to Gorkha Media Network Pvt. Ltd.
Sahara Cooperative has 6,334 depositors, of which 446 have filed complaints with the District Police Office demanding their funds. An examination of Sahara's software reveals that Rs 523.29 million has been misappropriated.
However, so far, no one has come forward to claim the Rs 146.71 million mentioned in the complaints. Preliminary investigations show that transactions worth about Rs 470 million from Gorkha Media's account in Global IME Bank are suspicious.
Protests in Chitwan in support of Lamichhane; police fire tear gas
While RSP Chair and former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, was giving his statement in the cooperative fraud case, a protest was organized in front of the District Police Office in Chitwan.
During the protest in support of Lamichhane, the police used water cannons and fired tear gas on Wednesday. While the police were recording Lamichhane's statement, leaders, activists, and supporters of RSP protested on Bharatpur Hospital Road.
After the protesters reached the District Police Office, the police used water cannons. When that didn't stop the protesters from advancing, they fired tear gas. Police spokesperson Rijal informed Republica that 13 police officers were injured during the clash.
RSP has stated that around two dozen people from the protester side were also injured.
Protest of cooperative victims in Chitwan
Depositors of Sahara Multipurpose Cooperative in Chitwan, who are victims, staged a protest. The victims protested in front of the District Coordination Committee office while Rabi Lamichhane was giving his statement at the District Police Office in Chitwan in connection with the cooperative fraud charges.
The victims have urged the government to take action to return the money they deposited in the cooperative. While protests in support of Lamichhane were taking place outside the District Police Office in Chitwan, the victims also staged their protest.
The victims have demanded action against everyone involved in the misappropriation of cooperative savings. They have called for the immediate formation of a judicial authority to return the deposited savings. They stated that they would worship the government like God if their deposited funds were returned to them.
