Kathmandu: Former Home Minister and President of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, was taken into custody by police on Friday evening following a court order issued by the Butwal Bench of the High Court, Tulsipur, in connection with an ongoing investigation into cooperative fund fraud.

A team led by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramesh Kumar Basnet from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office arrested Lamichhane from his residence in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu. The arrest came hours after the Butwal Bench, comprising Judges Ramesh Dhakal and Swikriti Parajuli, ordered Lamichhane be remanded to police custody to allow further investigation.

Lamichhane, a former television personality turned politician, has been under scrutiny for alleged involvement in financial irregularities tied to multiple cooperative institutions.

Party Appoints Acting President
In the wake of the arrest, the RSP central secretariat held an emergency meeting on Friday evening and decided to appoint Vice President DP Aryal as the Acting President of the party. The leadership transition aims to ensure party operations continue smoothly amid legal proceedings involving its top leader.

The party also issued a statement expressing respect for the court’s decision and reaffirmed its commitment to justice through constitutional and legal processes. "We will move forward respecting the law and constitution," the party said in a press release.

Peaceful Demonstration in Chitwan
Despite the arrest, the RSP urged its members and supporters to remain calm and continue scheduled political activities peacefully. The central secretariat directed that the mass meeting in Bharatpur, Chitwan, scheduled for 2 PM today, proceed in a peaceful and cordial manner.

Lamichhane, a rising political figure known for his anti-corruption stance and populist rhetoric, now faces a major legal challenge that could impact both his political career and the trajectory of the RSP, one of Nepal’s emerging political forces.