RSP orders probe into allegations against lawmaker Khagendra Sunar

The Rastriya Swatantra Party has ordered an internal investigation into allegations of blackmail, threats and suspicious financial transactions involving its lawmaker Khagendra Sunar, following the publication of audio recordings purportedly featuring him.

In a statement on Tuesday, RSP General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya said the party had directed its Central Disciplinary Commission to immediately investigate the allegations. Sunar has also been instructed not to attend formal public events in his capacity as an elected representative until the inquiry concludes.

The decision follows a report published by Jana Aastha on Monday alleging that Sunar had used an explicit video to blackmail a woman whom he had allegedly promised to marry. The publication also reported obtaining four audio recordings purportedly containing threats attributed to the lawmaker.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and the authenticity of the recordings remains unestablished.

Describing the allegations as serious and sensitive, the RSP said it would not treat questions concerning the dignity of women, undue pressure, threats and suspicious financial transactions against an elected representative lightly. The party also pledged to cooperate fully with investigations by state authorities.

Sunar has denied the allegations, claiming that the audio recordings and other material circulating against him were fabricated using artificial intelligence and other technologies. He has alleged that he has faced sustained attacks since raising questions about corruption within the Nepal Police.

He has also called on the party and the government to investigate the allegations and said he would cooperate with the inquiry.

The controversy comes amid a series of legal cases and public disputes involving Sunar, a Dalit rights activist who rose to prominence following the 2020 killings of Nabaraj BK and five of his friends in Rukum West.

In October 2025, then-prime minister Sushila Karki withdrew Sunar’s nomination for minister of labour, employment and social security after reports emerged about pending legal cases against him.

One of the cases stemmed from an incident at Mehelkuna Hospital in Surkhet, where Sunar was accused of assaulting the hospital chief, Dr Sojan Sapkota, and vandalising the facility. The allegations followed the death of a child from a snakebite, which had prompted accusations of medical negligence. The Surkhet District Court had issued an arrest warrant in connection with the case, according to reports published in 2025.

Sunar also faced a case under the Electronic Transactions Act after advocate Manisha Gautam accused him of verbally abusing her on social media. He appeared before the Kavrepalanchok District Court on October 30, 2025, and the court ordered his release on bail of NRs 50,000. Reports at the time also referred to contempt-of-court proceedings linked to his statements about the judiciary.

In another controversy, Sunar drew criticism for threatening remarks directed at the Supreme Court over its handling of the Nabaraj BK case. His confrontational statements about judicial decisions and public officials have repeatedly drawn scrutiny.

The latest allegations place renewed focus on the conduct expected of elected representatives and the accountability mechanisms available when allegations of misconduct arise.

The RSP said it would decide on further action in accordance with its statute and the law after considering the findings of its internal inquiry and any independent investigation by state authorities.

As of Tuesday, the party had announced the inquiry, but no findings had been made public. The latest allegations against Sunar remain unproven.