Pudasaini death: Investigation on Lamichhane and two others concludes

CHITWAN, Aug 25: The police have concluded the investigation on television program presenter Rabi Lamichhane, his associate Yuwaraj Kandel and nurse Ashmita Karki who were remanded in custody in connection with the death of journalist Shalikram Pudasaini.

The police presented the trio at the District Attorney Office in Chitwan on Sunday, said Superintendent of Police (SP) of the Central Investigation Bureau Deepak Regmi in a press conference organized by the District Police Office, Chitwan.

During the investigation, police had presented the evidence supporting the abetted suicide of journalist Pudasaini, who was found hanging at a Chitwan-based hotel on August 5.

The trio was arrested from Kathmandu two weeks ago based on the 13-minute long video clip which Pudasaini has recorded before taking his own life. In the video, Pudasaini had held the trio responsible for his decision to commit suicide.

According to Regmi, the police has also found other evidence but “could not be made public”.

“We are looking into the case impartially and there is no external pressure piled for the case.

“We were assigned by the Police Headquarters to probe the incident and the team he led conducted the investigation accordingly.”

“Since the three opponents of this case were accused of different reasons, the court will decide on them.”

The prosecutor will register a case at the District Court, Chitwan today. The police have already submitted the file with evidence to the Court today morning.

If the public prosecutors register the case today, plaintiff and opponents will argue on whether the accused ones will repaper on the date for trial or released on bail or detain them.

With the new Criminal Code in effect, the people charged for abetted suicide will be fined Rs 50 thousand and slapped five years of imprisonment if found guilty.

Meanwhile, Lamichhane’s supporters have been demonstrating in Bharatpur on a daily basis demanding his immediate release.