Lamichhane arrested; to be taken to Pokhara

KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane was arrested from his party office on Friday for an investigation into his alleged involvement in the misappropriation of cooperative deposits.

A team of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police arrested Lamichhane at the request of the District Police Office, Kaski.

Earlier, Kaski police had sought the help of CIB for Lamichhane’s arrest after Kaski District Court issued an arrest warrant for him.

According to police, Lamichhane would be taken to Pokhara on Friday evening.

RSP leaders earlier told the media that the party’s office-bearers would accompany Lamichhane to Pokhara. The party has also decided to hold a demonstration in Pokhara on Saturday to protest Lamichhane’s arrest.

Addressing party cadres before leaving the party office with the CIB team, Lamichhane claimed that the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML made the plan to arrest him even before their new alliance assumed power.

“We haven’t made any compromises. I have received information that on the day the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government fell, there was an agreement to imprison me by any means,” Lamichhane said. “While respecting the judicial process, I urge everyone to fight against this political vendetta.”

He reiterated his innocence and accused the state of using heavy-handed tactics. “They are saying they would put me in jail and prevent me from contesting elections. I haven’t committed any crime. Let’s all fight against the state’s use of its full power against me,” Lamichhane added. “I urge everyone to stand firm against the state’s bullying tactics.”