CHITWAN, Aug 27: Chitwan District Court on Monday released Rabi Lamichhane and Yubaraj Kandel on bail of Rs 500,000 and Rs 300,000 respectively. The court decided to free another accused in Shalikram Pudasaini suicide case, Asmita Karki, without bail. 

The three were in police custody since the last 12 days in connection with the investigation into the suicide of journalist Pudasaini, who was found hanging in Chitwan-based Hotel Kangaroo on August 5.

The court has however imposed three restrictions on Lamichhane. It has prohibited Lamichhane from airing television programs related to Pudasaini suicide; he cannot speak in public about Pudasaini suicide; and he cannot leave the country without seeking prior approval of the court. 

Judge Hemanta Rawal had issued the ruling following a hearing on Monday evening. 

Earlier on Sunday, the District Police Office, Chitwan Police had filed a case against the three accusing them of instigating Pudasaini’s suicide.

The court had recorded Karki’s statement on Sunday and the statements of the other two on Monday.

The three were dragged into controversy following the release of a video record where the deceased repeatedly accuses the three of harassing him. Pudasaini said in the video that he decided to take his life as he could not bear the harassment anymore.

Pudasaini had worked closely with Lamichhane for ‘Janata Sanga Sidha Kura’, a popular show on News24 TV channel.

While Karki had sought security after she was “pursued relentlessly by News24” to give a TV interview soon after Pudasaini’s video went viral on social media, and submitted herself to police in Chitwan, the two other accused Lamichhane and Kandel were arrested from the newsroom of News24 channel 12 days ago. 

The deceased’s wife Samjhana had filed a case against the three demanding justice after completing the 13-day death ritual.

Lamichhane’s arrest has sparked an outcry as he has a huge fan following. Following his release Monday, his fans took out “victory processions” in Chitwan.

 
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