The Rastriya Swatantra Party has launched an internal investigation into its lawmaker Krishna Kumar Karki over allegations that he impregnated a Nigerian woman and later abandoned her.

The move comes after the issue was raised in Parliament and widely discussed on social media.

Party General Secretary and chief whip Kabindra Burlakoti said the party’s disciplinary commission had begun seeking clarification from Karki.

“After the issue surfaced publicly, the party’s disciplinary commission started gathering information from him,” Burlakoti told Kantipur. “The commission is conducting an internal investigation. Depending on its recommendations, the matter may proceed further if necessary.”

The allegations drew scrutiny in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, with lawmakers questioning Karki’s conduct.

Three women lawmakers from opposition parties, the Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and Nepali Communist Party (NCP), raised the matter during the parliamentary session.

NC lawmaker Ninu Kumari Karna questioned how a lawmaker accused of abandoning a foreign woman could be trusted to protect Nepali citizens.

“A Nigerian woman is seeking justice on the streets, saying she became pregnant and the concerned lawmaker has gone out of contact,” Karna said. “How can a public representative, who traps a foreign woman in a romantic relationship, emotionally manipulates her and abandons her, ensure the safety of citizens of his own country?”

UML lawmaker Sajida Khatun Siddiqui said lawmakers were not above the law and urged the Speaker to initiate an investigation into Karki and inform Parliament of the findings.

“There are widespread reports that Krishna Karki, a member of Parliament from Morang-2, abandoned a 26-year-old Nigerian woman after making her pregnant,” she said. “This has shamed the entire House. The matter has also drawn global attention.”

She said all lawmakers were facing public criticism because of allegations against one member.

“The truth must be established as soon as possible,” Siddiqui said, adding that as someone previously involved in human rights work, she had received repeated calls from people seeking justice for the woman.

NCP lawmaker Parbati BK warned that such incidents could damage Nepal’s international image.

“What exactly is the truth? The House wants clarity,” she said. “If these claims are baseless, that too harms our national dignity. But if they are true, the concerned lawmaker must immediately face legal action.”

After Siddiqui raised the matter in the House, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal signalled the possibility of a parliamentary investigation.

“The concern raised by the honourable member has drawn my attention, and Rule 220 of the House of Representatives Rules, 2023, is also relevant here,” the Speaker said.

Rule 220 provides for a conduct monitoring committee chaired by the Speaker and co-chaired by the Deputy Speaker.

The committee includes the leader of the opposition and up to 12 members nominated by the Speaker based on party representation in consultation with the business advisory committee. The secretary general of the federal parliament serves as the committee secretary.

By referring to the rule, Aryal indicated that the committee could examine questions related to Karki’s conduct.

Under the rules, the committee can investigate allegations of code-of-conduct violations raised publicly or formally submitted before it. It is authorised to seek information from the concerned lawmaker as well as individuals, institutions and media organisations involved in raising the allegations.

The committee is required to prepare an investigation report and present it before the HoR.