KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 9

Amid growing concerns about human rights violations of the former home minister and deputy prime minister Rabi Lamichhane in custody, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Basanta Bahadur Kunwar failed to appear before the National Human Rights Commission for an investigation.

NHRC spokesperson Tikaram Pokharel told THT, 'Lamichhane has accused IG of instructing police to take him to Pokhara at midnight.' Complaint has been filed to NHRC stating that Lamichhane was subjected to inhuman treatment and violation of human rights while being taken to Kaski from Chitwan.

Lamichhane is under investigation for his alleged involvement in organised crime, money laundering, and cooperative fund misappropriation and an arrest warrant has been issued for Lamichhane in Chitwan, Kathmandu, Rupandehi, and Parsa for investigating cooperative fraud, and his statement has been recorded in locations other than Parsa.

Lamichhane was taken to Parsa by police today. Lamichhane, who was arrested on October 18 in Kathmandu, was first taken to Kaski for a probe. On Monday, he was flown from Pokhara to Kathmandu, then to Simara, and then driven to Birgunj, where the investigation into the case will continue.

Lamichhane was returned from Chitwan by the Pokhara chief at midnight.

Rabi Lamichhane complained about the mistreatment he received from the police during his transfer to Pokhara, claiming denial of medical care and being forcibly moved while ill.

Lamichhane presented documents in court indicating that he went to the hospital immediately after arriving in Pokhara due to high blood pressure. He claimed that he was unfairly targeted in retaliation, causing stress for his family as well. He claimed that the investigation yielded no new information and accused authorities of putting him through unnecessary hardship by forcing him to travel across the country.

However, the Chitwan District Police have denied that Lamichhane was mistreated. According to an NHRC spokesperson, the commission is continuing to investigate whether Lamichhane was mistreated while being transported from Chitwan to Pokhara.

NHRC spokesperson Pokharel told THT that Kunwar was not present on Monday despite being summoned to make a statement alleging human rights violations against Lamichhane while in custody. Kunwar had sent AIG Tek Prasad Tamang of the Criminal Investigation Department, DIG Dan Bahadur Karki of the Secretariat, and SP Mohan Kumar Thapa of the police's human rights wing to the commission's office rather than himself.

'They presented arguments in their defence. They claimed that they did so for various reasons. However, we have concluded that further discussions are required at a higher level. He is currently outside of Kathmandu.

We will go over this in greater detail. We have not come to any conclusion yet,' he said.

The NHRC has asked police to conduct an impartial and independent investigation while respecting and protecting detainees' right to a fair trial and basic human rights, as well as the rule of law.

Lamichhane has been detained for 53 days as part of an investigation, and now that his remand was extended by four days by Kaski District Court on Sunday, he will likely spend two months in custody.

Earlier, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) filed a complaint with the NHRC, expressing concern about Lamichhane's human rights violations.

In a letter submitted to the NHRC on Friday, the RSP accused the current government of taking action against Lamichhane out of 'political vendetta.'

The letter has drawn the Commission's attention to the government's violations of human rights, including making secret documents public through 'media trials,' transferring people in 'inhumane ways,' and 'seizing' private property.

The RSP has made a four-point request to 'protect Lamichhane's life and human rights,' conducting an investigation into Lamichhane's human rights violations. It has also demanded action against those responsible.

Lamichhane is also being investigated for money laundering, and officials say he could be detained for up to 90 days for questioning and investigation.

However, according to legal experts, there is now a 13-day filing deadline in this case. The investigation has a total duration of 90 days; 77 days have already passed.