KATHMANDU: Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) leader Gita Basnet has gone off the grid following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the police over allegations of misappropriating cooperative funds. The intensified search for Basnet comes after a district court issued a warrant, accusing her of embezzling funds from the Chhipchhipe Cooperative Society in East Nawalparasi (Nawalpur).

Narahari Regmi, Chief of the Nawalpur District Police Office, confirmed the concerted efforts to reach out to RPP leader Basnet. "We are actively seeking her whereabouts, employing various methods to establish contact," stated SP Regmi, emphasizing the importance of addressing the allegations against her.

Amidst the investigation, prompted by complaints from cooperative savers regarding the mismanagement of their savings, police have apprehended seven individuals, including Basnet's son-in-law Nagendra Bahadur Rimal. Other detainees include the cooperative's secretary Yogendra Pandey, as well as Bikas Sapkota, Krishna Gyawali, and Sanjeev Kumar Mahato. Presently, all detainees are under the custody of the Nawalpur police, as a complaint of embezzlement totaling Rs 160 million 69 lakhs has been filed at the Nawalpur District Police Office.

In response to the unfolding situation, the RPP has instructed Basnet to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation, underscoring the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing the allegations.