BHAIRAHAWA: Former Prime Minister and Nepal Samajwadi Party (Naya Shakti) Chairperson Dr. Baburam Bhattarai met Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President and former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane at the Rupandehi District Prison in Bhairahawa on Thursday morning.

The visit took place while Bhattarai was on his way to attend an extended meeting of his party in Lumbini Province.
Following the meeting, Bhattarai spoke briefly to journalists, stating that Lamichhane should be allowed to remain outside custody and fight his case while on bail.

He emphasized that Lamichhane is an elected representative with no risk of absconding or committing further crimes, and therefore should not be kept in detention.

“A people’s representative does not run away or cause further disruption,” Bhattarai said. “He should be granted the opportunity to face the case from outside the prison.”

Bhattarai further revealed that he had suggested two possible options to the Speaker of the House: either allow Lamichhane to serve the public by granting him bail or cancel his parliamentary seat and hold a new election in his constituency.

In a sharp criticism of the detention conditions, Bhattarai remarked that Lamichhane’s current situation is even worse than that of prisoners during the Panchayat era.

He noted that Lamichhane was not being given newspapers, depriving him of access to information, which Bhattarai argued was unacceptable.

“During the Panchayat era, we at least had access to newspapers and could study,” Bhattarai said. “When I asked the police, they said there was no order to provide such materials. No one should be deprived of basic information.”

He also pointed out that Lamichhane’s cell was cramped and lacked proper space. “Even prisons are supposed to have some open areas. I will raise this issue with the concerned authorities,” he added.