Investigation on Lamichhane and two others concludes

Chitwan, Aug 25, Police have finished investigation on programme presenter Rabi Lamichhane and his colleague Yuwaraj Kandel, and Ashmita Karki who were remanded in custody in connection with the death of journalist Shalikram Pudashaini. Police presented them at the District Attorney Office in Chitwan today.

Superintendent of Police (SP) of the Central Investigation Bureau Deepak Regmi shared in a press conference organized by the District Police Office, Chitwan. During the investigation, police had presented the evidences supporting the abetted suicide of journalist Pudashaini. Pudashaini was found hanging at a Chitwan-based hotel in the night of August 5.

The police have found other evidences than a video but they could not be made public, said SP Regmi. Stating that they had been looking into the case impartially and there was no external pressure piled for the case, SP Regmi asserted, “We should begin the system to seek justice from the court and discourage the trend to get the justice from the mob.”

SP Regmi further said he was assigned by the Police Headquarters to probe the incident and the team he led conducted the investigation accordingly. According to him, since the three opponents of this case were accused for different reasons, the court will decide on them. The prosecutor will register a case at the District Court, Chitwan today.

Police has already presented the accused ones and had submitted the file with evidences to the Court this morning at 10 am. Lamichhane along with Kandel and Karki were arrested from Kathmandu on August 17.

Locals have been demonstrating on a daily basis, demanding the release of Lamichhane and the two others. 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 to detain them.

With the new Criminal Code in effect, the people charged for abetted suicide will be arrested, fined Rs 500 thousand and five years of imprisonment if proved guilty.