Rabi Lamichhane

Lamichhane rose to fame as the host of a television show on the News24 aimed at setting the world record for the longest talk show in April 2013, which he no longer holds.{{Cite news|date=2013-04-13|title=Nepali hosts longest-ever talk show|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-22140317|access-date=2020-10-10}} The previous record was set by two Ukrainian presenters who stayed on the air for 52 hours in 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-14/nepalese-presenter-sets-record-for-longest-talk-show/4627964|title=Nepalese presenter sets record for longest talk show - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)|newspaper=ABC News|publisher=ABC|date=14 April 2013|access-date=26 November 2017}} He interviewed politicians, journalists, and celebrities, and took phone calls from viewers. While he set the Guinness world record at over 62 hours in April 2013, the record has since been broken by Alexandru Raducanu of Romania, who hosted an over 72-hour-long show.{{Cite web |title=Longest marathon television talk show |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-marathon-television-talk-show |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en-gb}}

Lamichhane went on to host the popular Sidha Kura Pradhanmantri Sanga (Straight Talk with the Prime minister) with prime minister KP Sharma Oli on the Nepal Television and News 24.{{Cite web |title=६ महिनामै रविको सत्तायात्रा |url=https://ekantipur.com/news/2022/12/26/167204343383647568.html |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=ekantipur.com |language=ne}} Later he went on to host Sidha Kura Janata Sanga on News24. Lamichhane resigned from News24 in January 2021 and announced the launch of a new version of his show as Sidha Kura on Galaxy 4K TV.{{Cite web |title=Ravi Lamichhane quits News24 TV; Thursday's program to be the last episode |url=https://english.khabarhub.com/2021/20/157551/ |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Khabarhub |language=en}}

On 16 June 2022, Lamichhane announced his resignation from Galaxy 4K TV in order to contest the 2022 general elections later in the year for a seat to the House of Representatives.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-16 |title=Rabi Lamichhane exits TV to enter politics |url=https://english.onlinekhabar.com/rabi-lamichhane-politics.html |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=OnlineKhabar |language=en-GB}} He announced the formation of a new political party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party on 21 June 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-21 |title=Rabi Lamichhane announces Nepal Independent Party - OnlineKhabar English News |url=https://english.onlinekhabar.com/rabi-lamichhane-party.html |access-date=2022-06-24 |language=en-GB}} He registered his candidacy from Chitwan 2.{{Cite web |last=Republica |title=Rabi Lamichhane to contest HoR polls from Chitwan-2 |url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/132276/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=My Republica |language=en}}

Lamichhane was elected with a majority of 34,312 votes, defeating Nepali Congress' Umesh Shrestha, an incumbent minister of state, and CPN (UML)'s Krishna Bhakta Pokhrel, the incumbent member of the constituency.{{Cite web |title=Rabi Lamichhane elected from Chitwan-2 |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2022/11/24/rabi-lamichhane-elected-from-chitwan-2 |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}} In the aftermath of the election, his party supported Pushpa Kamal Dahal's nomination for prime minister, and Lamichhane led the RSP in government as deputy prime minister and minister for home affairs.{{Cite web |title=RSP to join govt under Chairman Rabi Lamichhane's leadership |url=https://english.khabarhub.com/2022/26/286442/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Khabarhub |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Republica |title=Lamichhane to lead RSP in Dahal-led govt |url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/134894/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=My Republica |language=en}}

During his campaign for the 2022 general election, a complaint was filed calling for his candidacy to be scrapped. The complainant claimed that Lamichhane had not renounced his Nepali citizenship while being an American citizen and Nepali law does not allow dual citizenship.{{Cite web |last=Republica |title=EC seeks explanation from Ravi Lamichhane over citizenship controversy |url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/133448/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=My Republica |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Issue over Lamichhane's citizenship gets complex |url=https://kathmandupost.com/2/2022/11/17/issue-over-lamichhane-s-citizenship-gets-complex |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}} On 27 January 2023, the Supreme Court of Nepal ruled that Lamichhane did not follow due process to re-obtain his Nepali citizenship after renouncing his American citizenship, and thus, was not a legal Nepali citizen. This verdict effectively stripped Lamichhane of his position as deputy prime minister and minister of home affairs.{{Cite web |title=Court strips Lamichhane of all posts over citizenship |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2023/01/28/court-strips-lamichhane-of-all-posts-over-citizenship |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}}

After re-acquiring Nepali citizenship, he contested the by-election held for his Chitwan 2 seat in April 2023, and was re-elected securing an even greater margin of votes than in the 2022 general election.{{Cite web |title=Rabi Lamichhane elected from Chitwan-2 |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2023/04/25/rabi-lamichhane-elected-from-chitwan-2-1682406226 |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}}

{{Election results|cand1=Rabi Lamichhane|party1=Rastriya Swatantra Party|votes1=54176|cand2=Jit Narayan Shrestha|party2=Nepali Congress|votes2=11214|cand3=Ram Prasad Neupane|party3=CPN (UML)|votes3=10936|votes4=1040|invalid=|electorate=|result=Rastriya Swatantra Party hold|majority=42962|source=ECN{{Cite web |title=प्रतिनिधि सभा सदस्य उपनिर्वाचनमा उम्मेदवारहरुको सुची|url=https://result.election.gov.np/ElectionResultCentral2079bi.aspx |website=Election Commission of Nepal}}|row4=Others}}

{{Election results|cand1=Rabi Lamichhane|party1=Rastriya Swatantra Party|votes1=49300|cand2=Umesh Shrestha|party2=Nepali Congress|votes2=14988|cand3=Krishna Bhakta Pokharel|party3=CPN (UML)|votes3=14652|votes4=1813|invalid=|electorate=|result=Rastriya Swatantra Party gain|majority=34312|source=ECN{{Cite web |title=प्रतिनिधि सभा सदस्य निर्वाचनमा उम्मेदवारहरुको सुची|url=https://result.election.gov.np/ElectionResultCentral2079.aspx |website=Election Commission of Nepal}}|row4=Others}}

On 15 August 2019, police arrested Lamichhane from his News 24 office in connection with the suicide of journalist Shalikram Pudasaini.{{Cite web |title=पत्रकार दुर्व्यवहार र पक्राउको शैलीप्रति महासंघको ध्यानकर्षण {{!}}{{!}} Federation of Nepali Journalists |url=http://fnjnepal.org/en/press/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%98%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A3 |access-date=2020-10-10 |website=fnjnepal.org}}{{Cite web |last=Gill |first=Peter |title=Popular Support Grows for Indicted Nepali Journalist |url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/09/popular-support-grows-for-indicted-nepali-journalist/ |access-date=2020-10-10 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}} In a video recorded before his death, Pudasaini, who had also worked for News24, had named Lamichhane, among others, as driving him to suicide. Chitwan police charged Lamichhane, along with two others with abetment of suicide.{{Cite web |date=2019-08-16 |title=Pudasaini death mystery: TV host Lamichhane among three arrested |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/shalik-ram-pudasaini-death-mysterytv-host-rabi-lamichhane-among-three-arrested/ |access-date=2019-08-17 |website=The Himalayan Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Suicide abetment charge lodged against three including Rabi Lamichhane |url=https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-3/2019/08/26/suicide-abetment-charge-lodged-against-three-including-rabi-lamichhane |access-date=2020-10-10 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}} His arrest provoked widespread protest rallies in his support across the country with thousands of young people taking to the streets in Chitwan.{{Cite web |date=2019-08-17 |title=Lamichhane's supporters continue protest in Chitwan |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/lamichhanes-supporters-continue-protest-in-chitwan/ |access-date=2020-10-10 |website=The Himalayan Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=New Spolight |title=Angry Supporters Vandalized Police Vehicle In Chitwan |url=https://www.spotlightnepal.com/2019/08/17/lamichhanes-supporters-continue-protest-in-chitwan/ |access-date=2020-10-10 |website=SpotlightNepal |language=en}} Protestors saw Lamichhane's arrest as an attempt to stifle his journalism and retaliation for his exposure of corruption in the state.{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=New Spolight |title=Rabi Lamichhane's Supporters Demanded His Unconditional Release |url=https://www.spotlightnepal.com/2019/08/24/rabi-lamichhanes-supporters-demanded-his-unconditional-release/ |access-date=2020-10-10 |website=SpotlightNepal |language=en}} Chitwan District Court released Lamichhane on Rs 500,000 bail a few days later.{{Cite web |date=2019-08-26 |title=Lamichhane, Kandel released on bail, Karki on general date |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/lamichhane-kandel-released-on-bail-karki-on-general-date/ |access-date=2020-10-10 |website=The Himalayan Times |language=en-US}} Judge Hemanta Rawal eventually cleared Lamichhane of all charges.{{Cite news |title=Lamichhane gets clean chit in journo's suicide case |work=The Himalayan Times |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/rabi-lamichhane-gets-clean-chit-in-journos-suicide-case}}

Lamichhane was an American citizen from 2007 to 2017. He claimed that his previous Nepali citizenship was revived following the renouncement of his American citizenship. A ruling of the Supreme Court of Nepal on 27 January 2023 removed him from all public offices (deputy prime minister and home minister; party chairman and parliamentary party leader) and as Member of Parliament for not following due process and obtaining a new Nepali citizenship after renouncing his American citizenship in 2017.{{cite web |title=रवि लामिछानेको सांसद पद खारेज |url=https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2023/01/1254226 |access-date=27 January 2023 |website=Onlinekhbar}} He re-acquired Nepali citizenship following due process on 29 January 2023.{{Cite web |title=Rabi Lamichhane reacquires citizenship certificate |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2023/01/29/rabi-lamichhane-reacquires-citizenship-certificate |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}}

In 2015, Rabi Lamichhane was accused of obtaining a Nepali passport while holding both U.S. and Nepali passports, which is illegal under Nepali law that forbids dual citizenship and passports.{{cite web | title=Rabi Lamichhane’s passport case will be resolved as per passport laws: Supreme Court | website=The Kathmandu Post | date=2023-03-07 | url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2023/03/07/rabi-lamichhane-s-dual-passport-case-will-be-resolved-through-passport-laws-supreme-court | access-date=2024-10-20}} The attorney general of Nepal declined to prosecute Lamichhane for passport issues, with the Supreme Court declining to consider it as part of their case regarding Lamichhane's citizenship.{{cite web | last=Sharma | first=Bhasa | title=Lamichhane passport case: One can file writ petition at SC against attorney general's decision not to prosecute him | website=Republica | url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/lamichhane-passport-case-one-can-file-writ-petition-at-sc-against-attorney-general-s-decision-not-to-prosecute-him/ | access-date=2024-10-20}}{{cite web | last=Media | first=Aawaaj | title=District Attorney's office begins investigation into dual passport case of Rabi Lamichhane | website=AawaajNews | date=2023-02-09 | url=https://aawaajnews.com/uncategorized/district-attorneys-office-begins-investigation-into-dual-passport-case-of-rabi-lamichhane/ | access-date=2024-10-20}}{{cite web | title=Rabi Lamichhane passport case: Police say prosecution isn't necessary | website=OnlineKhabar English News | date=2023-03-19 | url=https://english.onlinekhabar.com/rabi-lamichhane-passport-case-over.html | access-date=2024-10-20}}

Ravi Lamichhane, President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSWP), is under investigation for fraud, money laundering, and organized crime. He is also accused of misusing funds raised through his "[https://ekantipur.com/en/news/2024/12/12/donations-raised-from-donors-to-nikitas-account-from-ravi-lamichhane-foundation-11-58.html Ravi Lamichhane Foundation]," established to build a hospital in Raskot, Kalikot. Despite claiming the foundation was in debt, Lamichhane transferred large sums, including Rs 40 lakh, to his wife Nikita Poudel’s personal account. The funds, which were supposed to support the hospital, were reportedly used for personal expenses. Lamichhane also sought government subsidies by misrepresenting the foundation’s financial status, securing Rs 40.9 million from an IMF loan meant for Nepal’s economic recovery. The hospital's construction has been criticized for questionable costs and the quality of materials used, sparking further allegations of corruption and embezzlement.

In early 2024, Kantipur Daily began publishing a series of articles alleging Lamichhane's involvement in financial embezzlement from cooperatives.{{Cite web |title=ग्यालेक्सी टीभीका सञ्चालकले हिनामिना गरे १९ हजार पोखरेलीको डेढ अर्ब बचत |url=https://ekantipur.com/news/2023/12/25/the-owner-of-galaxy-tv-embezzled-the-savings-of-19000-pokhreli-and-one-and-a-half-billion-38-14.html |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=ekantipur.com |language=ne}} Although the primary accused was Gitendra Babu Rai, who owned the cooperative, Lamichhane was alleged to be involved as his name and signature were on financial documents.{{Cite web |title=How Will Nepal's Government Respond to Victims of Loan Sharks? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/04/how-will-nepals-government-respond-to-victims-of-loan-sharks/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}} Lamichhane denied all accusations and said that his name and signature were misused.{{Cite web |title=Home Minister's explanation about misappropriation of co-operative funds: 'I have not taken a loan, my name is only written' |url=https://ekantipur.com/en/news/2024/04/16/home-minister-lamichhanes-question-do-i-have-to-take-the-contract-of-all-the-crooks-of-gb-rai-19-18.html |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=ekantipur.com |language=ne}}

A parliamentary investigation committee was formed on May 18, 2024, to investigate fraud and embezzlement in Nepal's financial cooperatives.{{Cite web |title=Major parties agree to form panel to look into cooperative scam |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2024/05/18/ruling-opposition-parties-agree-to-form-parliamentary-panel-to-probe-cooperative-fraud |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}} The committee determined that Rai, Lamichhane, and Director Chhabilal Joshi operated a joint account to disburse salaries and allowances to cooperative employees.{{cite web | last=Karki | first=Tapendra | title=Cooperative fraud case: Rabi Lamichhane found complicit, Dhanraj Gurung to be investigated | website=Republica | date=2024-10-20 | url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/cooperative-fraud-case-rabi-lamichhane-found-complicit-dhanraj-gurung-to-be-investigated/ | access-date=2024-10-20}}{{cite web | title=Special committee recommends action against Rabi Lamichhane | website=Ratopati | date=2024-09-16 | url=https://english.ratopati.com/story/34592 | access-date=2024-10-20}} Through spokesperson Manish Jha, the Rastriya Swatantra Party claimed that the report disproves Lamichhane's complicity, however Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan of the Rastriya Prajantra Party claimed that Lamichhane could still be prosecuted for his involvement.{{cite web | last=Poudel | first=Purushottam | title=Lamichhane guilty of cooperatives funds misuse, forgery: Probe | website=The Kathmandu Post | date=2024-09-17 | url=https://kathmandupost.com/politics/2024/09/17/lamichhane-guilty-of-cooperatives-funds-misuse-forgery-probe | access-date=2024-10-20}}{{cite web | title=Rabi Lamichhane found guilty in misappropriation of cooperative savings | website=Nepal's Digital Newspaper | date=2024-10-20 | url=https://en.setopati.com/political/163676 | access-date=2024-10-20}}{{cite web | title=Lamichhane arrested on fraud, organised crime charges | website=The Kathmandu Post | date=2024-10-19 | url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2024/10/19/lamichhane-arrested-on-fraud-organised-crime-charges | access-date=2024-10-20}}{{cite web | title=Nepal Police arrest ex-Dy PM Rabi Lamichhane for organized crime, misappropriation of funds | website=ANI News | date=2024-10-18 | url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/nepal-police-arrest-ex-dy-pm-rabi-lamichhane-for-organized-crime-misappropriation-of-funds20241018233639/ | access-date=2024-10-20}}{{cite web | title=Rabi Lamichhane arrested on charge of embezzling cooperatives’ savings | website=Republica | url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/rabi-lamichhane-arrested-from-rsp-central-office-on-charge-of-embezzling-co...-6712616ee535d.html | access-date=2024-10-20}}

He was arrested on the evening of April 4, 2025, following a ruling by the Butwal bench of the Tulsipur High Court.https://theprint.in/world/nepal-high-court-sends-former-home-minister-rabi-lamichhane-to-jail-in-cooperative-scam-case/2578929/ The court overturned a previous bail decision by the Rupandehi District Court in a cooperatives fraud case. Lamichhane faces charges of fraud and organized crime related to the Supreme Cooperative case, which involves allegations of embezzlement of millions of rupees. He expressed his willingness to cooperate with the court while maintaining his innocence.https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/rsp-president-lamichhane-remanded-to-police-custody The ruling also paves the way for his transfer to Rupandehi for further legal proceedings.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2025/04/05/rabi-lamichhane-arrested-following-high-court-order

While Lamichhane has become a celebrity in Nepal, there are some who have raised questions about his style of journalism and the "cult of personality" that has sprung up around him. While his methods have borne results for the ordinary people on whose behalf he pursues cases of fraud and corruption, critics have pointed to his "nationalist posturing" and "simplistic storylines".{{Cite web|title=Everyone is talking about Rabi Lamichhane. Here's what you need to know about the law that had him detained|url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2019/08/28/everyone-is-talking-about-rabi-lamichhane-here-s-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-law-that-had-him-detained|access-date=2020-10-10|website=kathmandupost.com|language=English}}

On 5 February 2023, after being stripped of his positions as Home Minister and Member of Parliament by the Supreme Court over irregularities in his citizenship, Lamichhane held a news conference alleging that the Nepali mainstream media had framed him. He alleged that the owners of media houses like Kantipur Publications, Annapurna Media, Setopati and Onlinekhabar (12 Bhais) had their own conflicts of interest and had gotten together to defame him. The media called his accusations "attack on the entire media industry" and that Lamichhane had thrown a temper tantrum after losing his positions in government.{{Cite web |title=FNJ condemns Rabi Lamichhane's remarks on media and media persons |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2023/02/05/federation-of-nepali-journalists-condemns-rabi-lamichhane-s-statement-on-media |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}}{{Cite web |date=2023-02-11 |title=Diagnosing Rabi Lamichhane's character in relation to his recent tantrum - OnlineKhabar English News |url=https://english.onlinekhabar.com/rabi-lamichhane-character-tantrum.html |access-date=2023-04-12 |language=en-GB}}

Lamichhane was married to Isha Lamichhane for 24 years until their divorce in 2019. They had been separated for 10 years prior to their divorce.{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=New Spolight |title=Media Person Rabi Lamicchane Secured Divorce From His Wife |url=https://www.spotlightnepal.com/2019/01/04/media-person-rabi-lamicchane-secured-divorce-his-wife/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=SpotlightNepal |language=en}} He married the-then chair of the Nepal Film Development Board, Nikita Poudel, on 21 January 2019.{{Cite web |last=Republica |title=Rabi Lamichhane and Nikita Poudel get married |url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/57786/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=My City |language=en}}

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