Why was MP Maya Rai arrested?
Rai, who served as the Joint Secretary on the Board of Directors of the cooperative, is accused of embezzling cooperative funds.
KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress lawmaker Maya Rai has been arrested in connection with a major financial fraud involving the Swarnalaxmi Savings and Credit Cooperative, located in Kalimati.
The Kathmandu District Police Office confirmed on Saturday that Rai was taken into custody from her residence in Kapan and that an investigation is underway.
Rai, who served as the Joint Secretary on the Board of Directors of the cooperative, is accused of embezzling cooperative funds.
The Kathmandu District Court had issued an arrest warrant against her on charges of cooperative fraud and organized crime.
Initially, Rai had been released without charges, a move that sparked widespread criticism.
However, new developments in the investigation have led authorities to file a formal case against her and five others.
The case involves alleged embezzlement of Rs 1.19 billion (approximately USD 9 million) from 690 depositors.
According to police sources, Rai played a central role in the case, which includes a total of 39 individuals currently listed as absconding suspects.
Authorities have stated that the investigation will continue to delve deeper into Rai’s involvement and the broader network behind the fraudulent scheme.
Maya Rai is a central committee member of the Nepali Congress, elected under the indigenous quota, and is affiliated with the faction led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba.
She currently serves in the House of Representatives as a proportional representation lawmaker.
