A team from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), led by Commissioner Lily Thapa, conducted an inspection of the conditions at Rupandehi Prison on Monday.
Speaking to journalists after the prison inspection, Commissioner Thapa said that the prison was found to be holding more inmates than its capacity.
"We found that this prison, with a capacity for 250 inmates, is currently holding 700 inmates, which is a violation of basic human rights," Thapa said. "I thank the prison chief for managing 700 inmates, but holding more inmates than the capacity and failing to manage them properly reflects the government's shortcomings."
The NHRC team assessed the conditions of all inmates.
Journalists then asked about the situation of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane, who is detained in the same prison, noting that various media outlets had published conflicting reports about him.
Commissioner Thapa said that she also spoke with Lamichhane during the inspection.
"He said that he has not been allowed to go outside until now, and that he should be allowed to breathe fresh air, read newspapers, and listen to the news," she said. "He also said that he has not been able to seek legal assistance, meet with lawyers to fight his case, and meet with his party workers."
Commissioner Thapa said that Lamichhane is being held in a separate 420-square-foot room in the prison, which has an attached toilet, though it is not fully enclosed.
"There is an attached toilet, but it only has a partial wall," she said. "Inside the room, there is a green carpet on the floor, two fans, a bed, and a table."
When journalists asked whether there is an air conditioner or cooler in the room, she clarified, "There are only two fans."
However, an RSP office-bearer who has visited Lamichhane multiple times in the prison, told Setopati earlier that there is a cooler in his room, but it blows hot air.
Thapa noted that a plywood board is placed on the window, reportedly for security reasons. "However, we have instructed the prison administration to remove the plywood from the window, and they have agreed to do so," she said.
She added that the NHRC would soon release a statement regarding the conditions at Rupandehi Prison.
