Kathmandu : The parliamentary investigation committee has recorded the statement of former Home Minister and Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, in connection with a cooperative fraud case.

The committee had previously recorded the statement of Chabilal Joshi Banjade, a business partner of GB Rai, the owner of Galaxy Television, in relation to the same case.

Both Lamichhane and Joshi are under investigation for alleged embezzlement involving funds from the Suryadarshan Cooperative in Pokhara, the Supreme Cooperative in Butwal, and the Sahara Cooperative in Chitwan. It is claimed that these funds were diverted through Gorkha Media.

Surya Thapa, Chairman of the Committee, stated that the statement-gathering process is nearing completion, with efforts now focused on drafting the final report.

The Committee has indicated that evidence suggests Lamichhane and others may have been involved in the embezzlement of funds through the transfer of money from various cooperatives.