Himal Press 
LUMBINI: Police have said that Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane would be questioned for his alleged role in the misappropriation of cooperative deposits on Thursday as well.
Lamichhane, who is in the custody of Kaski police, was brought to Butwal for questioning from Pokhara on Tuesday. Government attorneys began recording his statement at 10:15 am which continued for nine hours.
Rupandehi District Government Attorney, Prem Raj Poudel, said they questioned Lamcihhane on various issues related to the misappropriation of deposits from Butwal-based Supreme Saving and Credit Cooperative. “Various questions were asked on Wednesday. We have now reached the final stage of questioning,” Poudel said.
Sources say Lamichhane denied allegations of misappropriation of deposits, stating that he was not even a member of the said cooperative.
Lamichhane, who is also a former deputy minister and home minsiter, has repeatedly expressed ignorance on how deposits from different cooperatives were channeled to Gorkha Media Network where he served as the managing director before joining politics by forming RSP. He told government attorneys that the network’s Chairperson GB Rai is responsible for bringing funds to the media company.
Police were preparing to take Lamichhane back to Pokhara on Wednesday itself. However, it was not possible as the questioning continued till late in the evening.
According to DSP Bijay Raj Pandey of the Area Police Office, Butwal, Lamichhane has been kept in the custody of the District Police Office, Rupandehi.
The Parliamentary Special Investigation Committee on Misappropriation of Cooperative Deposits and police report mention that Supreme Cooperative issues loans worth Rs 20 million in Lamichhane’s name and another Rs 142.9 million in the name of Rai and his associates.
Out of Rs 1 billion worth of loans disbursed by Supreme, more than 70%, or around Rs 700 million, was embezzled through companies associated with Rai.
