The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has alleged that the diary of its Chairman, Rabi Lamichhane, went missing while in custody.

On Friday, RSP acting spokesperson Manish Jha issued a statement claiming that the government has treated Lamichhane unfairly, likening it to criminal treatment, and appealed to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as well as national and international human rights advocates.

The RSP contends that Lamichhane, who is under investigation for fraud related to five cooperatives, has had his basic human rights violated.

The party has challenged the government to justify its actions, calling the treatment a “cruel step.”

“Rabi Lamichhane is not a criminal but an accused individual. He is fulfilling his civic duty by cooperating with the government’s legal process,” the statement said.

“We urge all concerned parties to recognize that the portrayal of a popular public figure, who is supporting an investigation, as a criminal—and subjecting him to such treatment—is a violation of Articles 18 and 22 of the Constitution of Nepal, Section 167 of the Criminal Code of 2074 BS, as well as the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984),” Jha’s statement reads.

“We strongly demand that those responsible for this incident be held accountable in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.”

The RSP has also raised concerns about the fact that Lamichhane was transferred from the custody of Chitwan Police to Kaski Police during the night.