Chhabi Lal Joshi, a retired deputy inspector general (DIG) of Nepal Police, arrested on the charge of misappropriating cooperative funds was produced before the court on Monday.

Joshi was presented before the Kaski District Court for an extension of his remand.

On Sunday, he was arrested in Kathmandu on the charge of misappropriating funds of Suryadarshan Saving and Credit Cooperative Limited in Pokhara. Joshi was then taken to Pokhara for trial.

Joshi was one of the founders of Gorkha Media Network.

The parliamentary special panel, formed to investigate crisis-ridden cooperatives, has recommended in its report that the government initiate legal action against Joshi, one of the founders of the Gorkha Media Network, along with the company’s chair, Gitendra Babu (GB) Rai, then managing director Rabi Lamichhane, and board member Kumar Ramtel.

On Saturday, as recommended by the parliamentary probe panel, Minister of Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak directed the Nepal Police to take necessary action based on the probe panel’s recommendation. A member of the home minister’s secretariat confirmed this directive while talking to the Post.

The probe panel has recommended prosecuting the four, and the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has issued a diffusion notice for Rai, who is on the run.

Ramtel is already in judicial custody in Kaski for misusing cooperative funds and now Joshi has been arrested. The police are now considering prosecuting Lamichhane.

Sensing possible arrest, Lamichhane on Sunday requested his party members and supporters to stay alert and on standby saying that the government may do anything to him and his party.

He made the request while addressing his supporters gathered at the party’s headquarters at Balaju, Kathmandu on Sunday evening after unsubstantiated reports stated that the government was preparing to arrest him.

“I don't trust this government. It can do anything. So I earnestly request you all to stay alert and on standby,” he said addressing the supporters.