Kathmandu, October 13
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Khagendra Sunar is under scrutiny over an audio recording allegedly featuring a man hurling obscene abuse at a woman and threatening to kill her son, even as police say they have received no complaint and the government has yet to announce an investigation.
The recording, circulated by media outlets, has prompted calls for state authorities to establish its authenticity and investigate the allegations. Sunar has denied that the voice is his, suggesting that artificial intelligence or other means may have been used to imitate his voice and implicate him.
In the recording, a male voice is heard insulting a woman in obscene terms, threatening her son and making allegations about her relationships with other men. The speaker also uses sexually abusive language while referring to the woman’s alleged associations with political leaders.
Nepal Police spokesperson Abhi Narayan Kafle told Onlinekhabar that police had not received a complaint about the incident.
“We have not received a complaint from anywhere regarding this matter. If a complaint is filed, the police will proceed according to the legal process,” Kafle said.
Legal experts say the absence of a formal complaint should not automatically prevent authorities from examining serious allegations involving a sitting lawmaker.
Mohna Ansari, a lawyer and former chairperson of the National Women’s Commission, said the government should take notice of the recording and initiate an investigation.
“The government is led by the RSP, and the lawmaker implicated is also from the RSP. Once such an issue becomes public, the authorities cannot remain silent,” Ansari told Onlinekhabar.
She said the government should initiate an inquiry rather than wait for a complaint from the alleged victim. She also called on the Speaker of the House of Representatives to consider the matter because it involves a sitting lawmaker.
“If this incident is ignored, it will send a message that powerful people can do whatever they want, emboldening those who engage in such conduct,” she said.
Women’s commission says complaints can be confidential
Krishnakumari Paudel Khatiwada, acting chairperson of the National Women’s Commission, said the commission had not received a formal complaint but was treating the allegations seriously. She said the woman could file a complaint without publicly disclosing her identity.
“Complaints on such matters can also be filed confidentially. If a complaint is received, we will take the matter forward,” Khatiwada said.
The lack of a complaint to the commission does not, by itself, establish that other legal avenues are unavailable. Authorities would need to assess the allegations and available evidence to determine what action falls within their jurisdiction.
The central questions are whether the recording is authentic, whether the voice belongs to Sunar, how the woman’s account and safety concerns will be addressed, and whether the available evidence warrants a formal investigation.
Gopalnath Yogi, a former secretary of the House of Representatives, said a lawmaker detained by police for investigation following a complaint would be unable to perform parliamentary duties while in custody. He added that a party’s internal inquiry alone would not necessarily justify removing a lawmaker from parliamentary duties before state authorities had investigated the matter.
Senior advocate Gandhi Pandit said allegations involving violence against women could constitute criminal offences and warrant government scrutiny.
“If this concerns violence against women, it is a criminal offence. The government can bring it within the scope of an investigation, and proceedings can be initiated over gender-based violence,” Pandit said.
RSP collects evidence in internal inquiry
The RSP has launched an inquiry through its Central Disciplinary Commission and barred Sunar from participating in formal public events while the matter is being examined.
Harichandra Bhattarai, deputy head of the commission, said evidence collection began on Tuesday morning. The commission plans to verify the recording and hear from both Sunar and the woman named in connection with it.
“We have been collecting evidence since this morning. We will verify the facts and reach a conclusion soon,” Bhattarai told Onlinekhabar.
He said the commission was conducting its work independently of the party’s public position.
“The party has already stated its position. The Disciplinary Commission is independent, so we are collecting all the evidence,” he said.
The commission is attempting to speak with Sunar and meet the woman to hear her account. Bhattarai said Sunar’s response would form an important part of the inquiry, adding that the accused must have an opportunity to present his side.
Sunar was reportedly in Dang on party business while the commission was trying to contact him.
RSP says it will not protect lawmaker if allegations are proven
In a statement issued on Tuesday, RSP general secretary Bipin Acharya said allegations involving violations of women’s dignity, improper pressure, threats and suspicious financial transactions were serious and sensitive.
The party said it could not treat such allegations against its members or elected representatives lightly, citing its commitment to the rule of law, good governance and public accountability. It also pledged to cooperate with state authorities and said it maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse of women, violations of public office standards and criminal offences.
RSP parliamentary party whip Prakash Chandra Pariyar said the party would not protect Sunar if the investigation established that the voice in the recording was his.
“The audio will be investigated. If it is established that the recording is of the person concerned, the party cannot blindly stand behind one individual,” Pariyar said.
The party’s response has placed its stated commitment to accountability under scrutiny, particularly as its own government has yet to announce a formal investigation.
Sunar denies involvement and offers to cooperate
In a video posted on social media, Sunar said he was ready to cooperate with investigations by both the party and state authorities.
“I am ready to answer every question raised by the public. I am prepared to stand before the public at any time and answer for myself,” he said.
He added that he would accept suspension from the party or Parliament if necessary and would face legal consequences if wrongdoing were established.
“I am ready to cooperate with every kind of investigation conducted by the state or the party. If I have to be suspended by the central committee, I am ready. I am also ready to be suspended as a lawmaker,” he said.
However, Sunar maintained that the recording was not his voice and suggested that it may have been manipulated using artificial intelligence or other means. The recording’s authenticity and the identity of the speaker remain independently unverified.
Sunar has faced previous legal allegations
Sunar has faced allegations in several previous incidents. In June 2024, he was accused of vandalising Mehelkuna Hospital in Surkhet and assaulting health workers. The hospital chief filed a case against him.
In June 2023, a case was filed against Sunar for an offence against public peace. He was released after depositing Rs 20,000 in bail at the District Administration Office in Surkhet.
Separately, a case under electronic transactions legislation was filed against him at the Kavrepalanchok District Court following a complaint by lawyer Manisha Gautam.
These earlier cases are separate from the current controversy and do not establish the authenticity of the audio or prove the latest allegations.
The immediate task for authorities is to establish whether the recording is genuine, hear from the woman concerned and determine whether the available evidence warrants legal action. The case also poses a test for the RSP’s commitment to accountability and raises questions about how state agencies respond to serious allegations involving elected representatives when no formal complaint has been filed.
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