Kathmandu: The parliamentary investigation special committee, which is probing the misuse of public funds in cooperatives, has intensified its scrutiny of Rabi Lamichhane, former managing director of Gorkha Media Network Pvt Ltd and current President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).

On Friday, the committee grilled Lamichhane, who stands accused of misappropriating funds from several cooperatives to benefit Gorkha Media Network. Alongside Lamichhane, Chhabilal Joshi, a former member of the company's board of directors, was also interrogated as part of the ongoing investigation.

The inquiry is centered on allegations that deposits from cooperatives like Supreme Saving and Credit Cooperative (Butwal), Suryadarshan Saving and Credit Cooperative (Pokhara), Sahara Saving and Credit Cooperative (Chitwan), Swarnalaxmi Saving and Credit Cooperative (Kathmandu), Sano Paila Saving and Credit Cooperative (Birgunj), and Samantha Saving and Credit Cooperative (Nepalgunj) were diverted to Gorkha Media Network under Lamichhane’s leadership.

Led by CPN-UML lawmaker Surya Thapa, the probe committee has been summoning and questioning individuals implicated in the alleged misuse of cooperative funds. The interrogation of Lamichhane and Joshi marks a significant step in the committee’s efforts to uncover the extent of the financial mismanagement and the role Lamichhane played in the scandal.

During his interrogation, Lamichhane faced several serious allegations:

Embezzlement of Cooperative Funds: Lamichhane is accused of rerouting deposits from various cooperatives to Gorkha Media Network, where he was managing director. Victims claim that significant amounts of their savings were siphoned off to benefit the media company, compromising the financial health of these cooperatives.

Abuse of Power: Lamichhane allegedly abused his position to block cooperative members from accessing their funds. One victim accused him of using his influence to obstruct withdrawal attempts, citing a misuse of state power during his tenure.

Dishonest Share Dealings: Evidence suggests that Lamichhane was involved in dubious share transactions, using cooperative funds to acquire shares in Gorkha Media Network. Reports indicate that he facilitated the transfer of large sums of money from cooperatives into the media company's accounts, essentially using depositors' money for personal gain.

Failure to Register Complaints: Victims have reported challenges in filing complaints against Gorkha Media Network with local authorities, hinting at a possible cover-up or reluctance from law enforcement to address the allegations against Lamichhane and his associates.

The committee's findings are expected to provide critical insights into the cooperative funds scandal and Lamichhane's involvement. As the investigation progresses, further revelations about the operations of Gorkha Media Network and its connections to the cooperative crisis are anticipated.