Former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane Arrested
Charges of Cooperative Fund Embezzlement
In Kathmandu, Nepal, the Kaski District Court has ordered the detention of former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane for six days. This decision, made by Judge Navaraj Dahal, allows further investigation into charges of cooperative fund embezzlement and organized crime.
Details of the Arrest
Lamichhane, who is also the chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), was arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) from his party office in Kathmandu on October 18, 2024. He was then taken to Pokhara and presented before the court. Alongside Lamichhane, 13 others are also being investigated for similar charges.
Background of the Case
The investigation stems from a report by a parliamentary committee, which accused Lamichhane of embezzling millions of rupees in a cooperative scam. The report highlighted that funds were illegally transferred to Gorkha Media, where Lamichhane was a managing director. The committee recommended legal action against all involved.
Parliamentary Inquiry
The parliamentary committee, formed on May 28, conducted a thorough inquiry, including a 10-hour session with Lamichhane. Despite his claims of ignorance regarding the source of funds, the committee found evidence of his involvement. The report was endorsed by the House of Representatives, urging the government to take action.
Doubts Revealed
Rabi Lamichhane -: Rabi Lamichhane is a politician from Nepal. He was the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of Nepal. He is also the chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
Home Minister -: The Home Minister is a government official responsible for maintaining internal security and domestic policy. In India, this role is similar to the Union Home Minister who handles internal affairs of the country.
Cooperative Fund Embezzlement -: Cooperative fund embezzlement means illegally taking or misusing money from a cooperative, which is an organization owned and run by its members. It’s like stealing money that belongs to a group of people who have pooled their resources together.
Kaski District Court -: The Kaski District Court is a legal institution in Nepal. It is responsible for handling legal cases and ensuring justice in the Kaski district, which is a region in Nepal.
Gorkha Media -: Gorkha Media is likely a media company or organization in Nepal. It is mentioned in the context of being involved in the misappropriation of funds.
Rastriya Swatantra Party -: The Rastriya Swatantra Party is a political party in Nepal. Political parties are groups of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government.
Central Investigation Bureau -: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) is a special police unit in Nepal. It investigates serious crimes and gathers evidence to solve cases.
Organized Crime -: Organized crime refers to illegal activities carried out by structured groups. These groups work together to commit crimes like embezzlement, smuggling, or fraud.