Kathmandu, 14 October (H.S.): Khagendra Sunar, a lawmaker from Nepal’s ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has once again found himself embroiled in controversy after an audio recording allegedly containing abusive remarks against a woman and a death threat surfaced publicly. An investigation has now been initiated into the matter.

Sunar, a federal parliamentarian elected from Banke district, is facing scrutiny over an alleged threat that could constitute a criminal offence. Following the emergence of the audio recording, the RSP has launched an internal investigation against him. The party has also barred him from attending any public events. The government, however, has not yet issued an official response to the matter.

In a statement released on Wednesday morning, RSP General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya said the party expected the relevant state authorities to conduct an immediate, independent, impartial and fact-based investigation, given the seriousness of the allegations that had become public.

Acharya also stated that informal discussions were under way with office-bearers serving in the government regarding the matter.

The audio recording was made public by a local media outlet. In the recording, Sunar allegedly uses abusive language against a woman and threatens to kill her if she fails to pay money on time.

Sunar is also a central committee member of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party. The allegations have placed him under renewed scrutiny, while the investigation is expected to establish the facts surrounding the recording and the alleged threats.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar