Rabiji’s Difference: Politics Against Corruption

Rabi Lamichhane was cutting the checks of Gorkha media even after the announcement of RASWP, transferring the money to his own name

On June 1, 2079, Rabi Lamichhane left Gorkha Media.

On June 7, he announced the party, five days after launching the RSWP and starting the campaign for good governance.

On June 12, he cut a check of Rs 7.1 million from Gorkha Media’s account, and out of it, he issued a check of Rs 985,749 in his own name.

He transferred a total of Rs 674.8 million from five cooperatives, including Suryadarshan of Pokhara, to Gorkha Media.

He spent Rs 485.822 thousand through a single signature, and the court received the evidence.

Out of 1,237 checks debited from Gorkha Media’s account, Rabi Lamichhane signed 814 checks himself.

Rabi Lamichhane cut 45 checks to pay the cooperatives’ installments and issued monthly checks for one year to pay Suryadarshan Cooperative’s installments, even though he claimed that he did not know about the money received from the cooperatives.

Major Allegations Against Rabi Lamichhane

Cooperative Fraud / Financial Misconduct: Authorities have accused him of misappropriating and misusing funds from various cooperative committees.
Supreme Cooperative Scam: He faces specific allegations regarding the embezzlement of funds from the Supreme Savings and Credit Cooperative.
Multiple District Cases: Government attorneys have filed cooperative fraud cases against him in five different districts. Including Kaski, Rupandehi, Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Parsa.
Organized Crime and Embezzlement:- Law enforcement agencies are investigating his involvement in organized crime. The embezzlement of millions of rupees diverted to Gorkha Media Network.
The police arrested Rabi Lamichhane following court orders. Placed him in judicial custody/remand for investigation. Although recent reports indicate that the court has granted him bail in some cases.
Judicial Review: Higher courts, including the Supreme Court and High Courts, have reviewed and upheld various decisions regarding. His judicial remand and legal proceedings.
Financial Irregularities as an Executive:. The prosecution alleges that he committed financial irregularities while serving as a key member or executive (MD) of the involved entities.
Claims of Political Vendetta:. His supporters and family members claim that the government is pursuing these cases as a “political vendetta” to suppress his political career.
Parliamentary Probe Committee Report:. A Parliamentary Special Investigation Committee conducted a study and issued a report concluding his involvement in the misuse of cooperative funds.
Allegations of Obstruction of Justice:. Opposition parties and critics have accused his supporters of attempting to pressure the judiciary and obstruct the legal process through street protests.

Allegations/Debates regarding Rabi Lamichhane’s time in the USA

Allegation of Visit Visa Misuse: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak stated in Parliament that Rabi Lamichhane allegedly stayed in the United States and acquired citizenship after entering the country on a visitor visa. He suggested that this could constitute a misuse of the visa category.

Controversy over Starting a Political Career after US Citizenship:. There is an ongoing debate regarding this allegation, claiming that he traveled to the U.S. on a “visitor visa,” obtained American citizenship there. And subsequently returned to Nepal to become active in politics.

Additional Facts Regarding Background
Dual Citizenship and Passport Controversy:. The Supreme Court of Nepal previously ruled that his Nepali citizenship became automatically invalid once he acquired American citizenship. Which disqualified him from serving as a Member of Parliament or a Minister at that time. Subsequently, He renounced his U.S. citizenship and re-acquired his Nepali citizenship through the formal legal process.

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