KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 11

Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the chairperson of the third largest party CPN-MC and former prime minister, has condemned former home minister and deputy prime minister Rabi Lamichhane's human rights violations, as have other leaders.

"I condemn the government's autocratic, undemocratic, inhumane, and vindictive behaviour towards Rabi Lamichhane, who has not been convicted by the court and was elected by an overwhelming popular vote." Dahal's post reads: "I strongly urge the government to stop such behaviour."

Similarly, lawmakers, including Dr. Amresh Kumar Singh and Sunil Kumar Sharma, condemning the misbehaviour with Rabi Lamichhane have said that the government has treated Rastriya Swatantra Party President Lamichhane in an autocratic, undemocratic, inhumane and vindictive manner.

They took to social media and demanded that the government not treat Lamichhane like a criminal.

Nepali Congress MP Sharma has said that it is regrettable that Lamichhane has been treated in a dictatorial manner when the Home Minister is from a democratic party like the Nepali Congress.

Ramesh Lekhak is the current home minister from the Nepali Congress.

"I condemn Rabi Lamichhane's dictatorial treatment in a democratic country like Nepal, especially during the tenure of the Home Minister of a democratic party like the Nepali Congress. The investigation should be completed as soon as possible, a judicial resolution should be obtained through the court, and everyone should follow the court's ruling. The series of police detentions in a dramatic manner has left everyone suspicious," reads his post.

He has also stated that violating human rights in the name of detaining someone is unacceptable and regrettable.

Sharma's post goes on to say that acts such as arresting anyone in the name of investigation, refusing to let them go to the hospital even when they are sick, restricting the rights of citizens who require treatment, and causing mental stress in the name of the investigation, abusing them, and violating human rights are all condemnable and regrettable.

Rabi Lamichhane complained about the mistreatment he received from the police during his transfer to Pokhara from Chitwan, 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. Earlier, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), expressing concern about Lamichhane's human rights violations.

Talking to THT , NHRC spokesperson Tikaram Pokharel said, "The commission is continuing to investigate whether Lamichhane was mistreated while being transported from Chitwan to Pokhara. We have called upon the Nepal Police IGP to assist in the investigation."

Another legislator, Dr. Amresh Kumar Singh, has condemned the government's treatment of directly elected MPs as criminals in the name of a well-planned investigation.

"Attention has been drawn to the well-planned investigation underway against Rastriya Swatantra Party President and directly elected MP Rabi Lamichhane. Arresting a person in the name of an investigation, refusing to provide treatment, and treating him as a criminal during the investigation is both condemnable and illegal," reads his post.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has claimed that attempts are being made to sway the investigation into Rabi Lamichhane in the cooperative case.

Lekhak has also stated that it is inappropriate for CPN-MC chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal to speak in a way that may influence the investigation.

"It is wrong for anyone to speak in a way that affects the investigation, the court, or the judicial process," said Home Minister Lekhak. "It is unfortunate that the leader of the main opposition party is acting in such a manner."

Speaking to mediapersons in Surkhet today, Lekhak stated that efforts were being made to surround the police and government attorney's offices while the investigation into the cooperative case was ongoing, as well as to influence the investigation.

He claimed that supporters of the main opposition party, which Lamichhane supports, are also attempting to influence the investigation through various means. "While the investigation is ongoing, police, attorney's offices, and courts are surrounded, and the rule of law is being violated by people taking to the streets. "Is this right?" he asked.

Similarly, he claimed that the situation of transporting Rabi Lamichhane from Chitwan to Pokhara at midnight was a normal procedure. The Home Minister argued that leader Lamichhane was shifted from one district to another in the nighttime for his own security.

He stated that the government is serious about everyone's human rights and was conducting a fair investigation into Lamichhane.