KATHMANDU: A controversial audio recording allegedly featuring Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Khagendra Sunar threatening a woman has been made public, drawing widespread attention.
The recording reportedly captures Sunar threatening to kill and rape the woman after allegedly luring her with the promise of marriage, making obscene videos and blackmailing her.
In the audio published by Jana Aastha, Sunar can allegedly be heard using abusive language and demanding money from the woman. He reportedly threatens to kill her, set her house on fire and rape her if she fails to pay, at one point saying he would “kill you and drink your blood.”
The release of the recording has triggered heated debate on social media, with users expressing anger over the alleged threats.
The audio also contains explicit and abusive language. In the recording, the woman says she had to deactivate her Facebook account because of the stress. Sunar can allegedly be heard warning her not to deactivate the account while continuing to hurl abuse.
Sunar, who coordinates the Dalit for Dalit Campaign Nepal and has built a public profile as a Dalit rights activist, has also faced controversy over his past, according to the report. The report says he had faced multiple cases and complaints before becoming a lawmaker, including allegations involving threats, verbal abuse, cyberbullying and fraud.
Originally from Dailekh, Sunar was politically active in association with Ganesh Lama, a controversial Nepali Congress figure, the report says. He was previously arrested in a fraud case and served a prison sentence.
He was also arrested over remarks threatening to set the Supreme Court on fire. In June 2024, an arrest warrant was issued against him following a complaint by Dr Sojan Sapkota, chief of Surkhet District Hospital, over allegations of vandalising a health facility and assaulting health workers.
Sunar’s remarks have remained controversial since he became a lawmaker. Following the release of the audio, the RSP is facing pressure to take action against him.