Kathmandu, October 14
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Khagendra Sunar has come under renewed scrutiny after an audio recording allegedly featuring him verbally abusing a woman and threatening to kill her son was made public, adding to a history of controversies surrounding the parliamentarian.
The audio, published by the online edition of Jana Aastha weekly and attributed to Sunar, has raised questions about his conduct. Sunar, however, has denied that the voice in the recording is his, alleging that someone used artificial intelligence or other means to imitate his voice and frame him.
The recording and the woman’s relationship with Sunar appear to date back several years. Inquiries into the matter have also revealed that Sunar was previously taken into police custody in connection with an alleged assault involving the same woman, according to sources cited by Onlinekhabar.
The woman reportedly visited Sunar at the Swayambhu Police Circle while he was in custody.
The incident is believed to have occurred around 2021, when the woman was living in the Sitapaila area. The two reportedly had a financial dispute, during which Sunar was accused of assaulting her.
After the alleged assault, the woman’s personal security officer (PSO) informed the Police Headquarters’ directorate responsible for VIP security. The information was subsequently forwarded to the Kathmandu District Police Range, which was then headed by Senior Superintendent of Police Sudip Giri.
Following the incident in the Swayambhu area, Giri reportedly directed the local police circle to investigate. Police subsequently arrested Sunar and held him for questioning.
According to a senior source, the woman later visited the police and requested that Sunar be released into her custody. After spending a day in detention, Sunar was released the following day after the two reached a settlement.
Sunar has faced repeated allegations of violence against women and physical assault, according to the report.
In the newly released audio, the person alleged to be Sunar can be heard using abusive language against a woman, threatening to kill or cut her son, accusing her of having an extramarital relationship and using obscene language while referring to her alleged associations with political leaders.
The RSP has taken note of the controversy and initiated an internal investigation. The party has also barred Sunar from speaking at public events in his capacity as a lawmaker, according to the report.
Police, however, said they had not received a formal complaint over the audio as of Wednesday.
Nepal Police spokesperson Deputy Inspector General Abinarayan Kafle said legal proceedings would begin if a complaint were filed.
“No complaint has been received regarding the audio so far. If a complaint is filed, the legal process will move forward,” Kafle said.
Although no complaint has been filed over the latest recording, the controversy has raised questions about Sunar’s conduct and suitability to continue serving as a lawmaker.
Sunar has faced other controversies in the past. In June 2024, he was accused of vandalising Mehelkuna Hospital in Surkhet and assaulting health workers. The hospital chief filed a case against him.
In June 2023, a case was also filed against Sunar for an alleged offence against public peace. He was released after depositing Rs 20,000 in bail at the District Administration Office in Surkhet.
Separately, a case under electronic transaction laws was filed at the Kavre District Court based on a complaint by advocate Manisha Gautam.
Responding to the latest allegations, Sunar has said in a video posted on social media that he is ready to cooperate with investigations and face legal consequences if any crime is proven against him.
“I am ready to answer every question raised by the public. I am ready to stand before the public and answer for myself at any time,” he said.
He also said he was willing to cooperate with investigations by both the party and state agencies, adding that he would accept suspension from the party’s central committee or from his parliamentary position if necessary.
However, Sunar maintains that the audio is not his and alleges that his voice was imitated using artificial intelligence or other means to implicate him.
