Victims of the Supreme Cooperative staged a protest outside the Rupandehi District Court on Tuesday, demanding the return of their savings and legal action against those involved in embezzling funds.

The protest coincided with the statement of former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and ex-director of Gorkha Media Network Chhabilal Joshi, one of the accused, at the District Attorney Office.

According to Vijay Nepal, coordinator of the Supreme Cooperative Victims’ Struggle Committee, the victims had initially planned to demonstrate outside the District Attorney Office but moved the protest about 50 metres away to the court after police intervention.

The protesters, holding placards and black banners, accused Sagar KC, the manager of the cooperative’s Butwal branch, and chairman Gitendra Babu (GB) Rai of fleeing with political protection. Police prevented the demonstrators from approaching the government office, and Netra Budha, police inspector at Bhairahawa Ward Police Office, urged them to refrain from protesting, citing ongoing investigations.

The demonstrators called for the return of their savings, action against cooperative fraud, and the arrest of KC and Rai. They also alleged that political connections shielded Joshi, Rabi Lamichhane, and Rai.

Joshi, who had been in custody in Pokhara for investigation, was brought to Butwal on Monday for testimony related to the embezzlement case. An investigation revealed that nearly Rs150 million from Supreme Multipurpose Cooperative’s funds were transferred to Gorkha Media Network's accounts.