Kathmandu, October 13
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has said its disciplinary commission has begun investigating a controversial audio recording involving party lawmaker Khagendra Sunar.
RSP Chief Whip Kabindra Burlakoti said the party had instructed its disciplinary commission to begin work immediately and that the commission had already started the investigation.
“There is no way to set a deadline for something like this. The instruction was to start immediately, and the process has already begun,” Burlakoti said. “The disciplinary commission has made a decision and started its work. It will not take long. Whatever needs to be investigated will be investigated.”
He also said state agencies should conduct their own investigation to determine whether the allegations warrant legal action.
“The state should investigate to determine which provisions of the law apply. The party has already issued a statement saying it will cooperate with the state investigation,” Burlakoti said. “The state has its part to handle, while the party has begun its own investigation because Sunar is one of our leaders.”
Burlakoti said the party had referred the matter to its disciplinary commission because the allegations were accompanied by evidence that required verification. He contrasted the case with earlier allegations involving another RSP lawmaker, Krishna Kumar Karki, saying the party had not proceeded with an investigation at the time because it found no grounds to do so.
“Back then, there was only speculation on social media. In this case, material has emerged publicly, and it needs to be established whether it is authentic. That is why the matter has been referred to the disciplinary commission for investigation,” he said.
He added that the party would wait for the findings of the body responsible for the investigation, while state agencies could also take action if necessary.
The commission has begun collecting evidence and is seeking to speak with Sunar and the woman linked to the allegations.
RSP disciplinary commission deputy chief Harichandra Bhattarai said the commission was gathering evidence and attempting to meet both parties.
“The party has already made its position clear. The disciplinary commission is independent, and we are collecting all the evidence,” Bhattarai told Onlinekhabar. “We are trying to speak with the lawmaker as well as meet the woman whose name has been linked to the matter.”
Bhattarai described the contents of the audio as serious and said the commission would seek to reach a conclusion promptly, taking the gravity of the allegations into account.
“We have been collecting evidence since this morning. We will reach a conclusion after verifying and examining the facts,” he said.
Sunar is currently outside Kathmandu. Bhattarai said the commission would also hear his account, as the person facing allegations must be given an opportunity to present his side.
The audio recording, which allegedly captures Sunar verbally abusing and threatening a woman, was made public on Monday.
RSP lawmaker and parliamentary whip Prakash Chandra Pariyar said the party’s parliamentary group was also treating the matter seriously. He said the party would follow due process but would not protect anyone found to have engaged in wrongdoing.
“The audio will be investigated. If it is established that the recording belongs to the person concerned, the party cannot blindly stand behind one individual,” Pariyar said.
On Tuesday, RSP General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya issued a statement describing the allegations against Sunar as serious. The party has also barred Sunar from participating in official events while the matter is under scrutiny.
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