Rabi Lamichan, former Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal, speaks to the media while appearing at the Kaski District Court following his arrest on charges of fraud and organized crime, in Pokhara on October 20, 2024. | Photo: AFP
Nepali police fired tear gas on Sunday (Oct 20, 2024) against thousands of protesters loyal to a former deputy prime minister, once considered a rising political star, as he appeared in court on charges his supporters said were politically motivated.
Rabbi Lamichan faces fraud and organized crime charges related to the alleged misappropriation of funds from a financial cooperative before he entered politics, a case that drew national attention.
Mr Lamichhane denies the allegations, which his angry supporters say are trumped up.
Mr. Lamichhane is well known for his career as a television presenter in Himalayan Republicmaking his name as an anti-corruption fighter through aggressive interviews with government officials.
He shot to political power in November 2022 with his Rastriya Swatantra party, which tapped into widespread discontent with Nepal’s older political leadership, becoming deputy prime minister and home minister.
But he was fired in January 2023 after Nepal’s supreme court barred him from serving because he failed to regain his citizenship after renouncing his American passport.
He was arrested in the capital Kathmandu on Friday (Oct 18, 2024) and transferred to the city of Pokhara, where he was detained for another six days “for further investigation”, said Suraj Adhikari, information officer of the Kaski district court.
Police said thousands of people took part in protests on Sunday (October 20, 2024), with baton-wielding police blocking off areas around the district court and spraying crowds with water cannons and tear gas.
The protesters chanted slogans against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, alleging that the charges against Mr Lamichhane were politically motivated.
The Kathmandu Post Newspaper reported that a parliamentary committee had accused Mr Lamichhane of embezzling millions of rupees from multiple cooperatives while he was in charge Gorkha Media Networkbefore his entry into politics.
“We supported the investigation, but this is a political vendetta to destroy a new party that is working for the betterment of the people,” said RSP party member Toshima Karki.
“They think they can finish our party by attacking an individual, that’s wrong,” she added. “We are making a peaceful protest and we are determined to fight against this injustice.
Published – October 20, 2024, 10:59 PM IST
