The Kathmandu District Government Attorney’s Office has begun an investigation by gathering documents after a complaint was lodged against former Home Minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane, regarding his passport.

On Tuesday, a complaint was filed at the Kathmandu District Government Attorney’s Office against Lamichhane, accusing him of holding two passports after the police refused to register the complaint. In order to investigate this matter, the attorney’s office had written to different departments seeking documents related to the case.

“Today, we decided to call for related documents from the District Administration Office, Department of Immigration and Department of Passports. Once we study the reports, we will forward the case to the police for further investigation,” informed Chief Assistant Attorney Achutamani Neupane.

According to the Passport Act, one who receives passport or travel documents by submitting false details can be fined Rs 200,000 to 500,000 and imprisoned for up to 3 years. Similarly, if Lamichhane is found guilty of misuse of passport, he will be ineligible to contest elections and will be barred from electoral politics for life.

Lamichhane, who was elected from Chitwan-2, lost his post as a lawmaker and minister after being found that he had not reinstated his Nepali citizenship even though he had abandoned his status as a US citizen.