KATHMANDU, Nov 10: The Special Court on Tuesday issued an order to release the footballers accused of match fixing on bail, stating that there was no point to continue keeping them in custody for further proceedings.
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The players were released soon after depositing the bail amount slapped by the Babarmahal-based Special Court, Kathmandu.
A joint bench of judges Mohan Raman Bhattarai, Bhupendra Prasad Rai and Mahesh Prasad Pudasaini granted bail to the players, who have been accused of fixing Nepal's international football matches under the influence of bookies for monetary gain.
According to Deputy Registrar at the Special Court, Jagannath Pokharel, the court had demanded bail amount of Rs 500,000 each from Anjan KC and Ritesh Thapa, Rs 150,000 from Sagar Thapa and Rs 50,000 from Bikash Singh Chhetri and Sandip Rai.
"The court granted bail to the accused players after hearing on the case from both the parties, reviewing the facts included in the charge-sheet and on the basis of statements recorded from the alleged footballers," Deputy Registrar Pokharel said.
The government on Sunday had charge-sheeted the five footballers and a physiotherapist Dejiv Thapa -- who is currently at large -- for treason, with a demand for life terms for alleged match-fixing in international and friendly matches since 2008.
The court, in its order, stated that the case doesn't fall under the treason charge as per the defendant lawyers' pleas. The audio\\video statements of KC, Ritesh and Sagar during confession about receiving cash from unknown sources also didn't call for pressing treason charges, reads the order.
The Kathmandu District Attorney's Office had registered charge-sheets against the footballers and a physiotherapist at the Special Court as per Clause 3(1) of the Crime against the State and Punishment Act, 2046. Clause 3(1) states that if someone causes or attempts to cause any disorder with an intention to jeopardize sovereignty, integrity or the national unity of Nepal, he/she shall be liable for life imprisonment.
During the hearing, lawyers Sambhu Thapa, Prem Bahadur KC, Harihar Dahal, Upendra Kesari Neupane, Govinda Sharma 'Bandi', Nani Babu Budhathoki, Semant Dahal, Rakchhya Basyal, Krishna Prasad Sapkota, Ramchandra Subedi, Pabitra Raut and Sardul Thapa advocated from the defendants' side and Ashok Raj Regmi advocated from the government side.
The players expressed happiness over the court's order and are expecting 'justice' from the upcoming trials.
"The initial hearing has indicated that we were innocent and we are hopeful of the allegation against us being proven wrong in the near future," said captain Sagar Thapa while exiting from the court along with his family members.
However, the trial date is yet to be announced by the court. The players should be present at the court on November 29 in person for the upcoming procedures. The court has also issued warrant against Dejiv and asked the concerned authorities to bring him before the court.
Police investigations have revealed that about Rs 3.9 million was received by various players with the involvement of their kin. The footballers were arrested on October 14 after a month of surveillance, which clearly indicated that they were receiving money from abroad.
