Kathmandu, February 24:

The government today filed a case against journalists Rishi Dhamala, Ram Subhak Mahato and Birendra Kumar Mahato under the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1963.

They were formally charged under the Act, 21 days after they were detained. The government filed the case in the Kathmandu District Administration Office.

Kathmandu district’s government attorney filed the case, seeking up to seven years of jail for the journalists under Section 20 (3) of the Act.

The government has accused them of links with Ranabir Sena, which had owned up a blast in Kathmandu last year. The CDO will now decide whether to free them or not to proceed the case against them.

The three journalists were arrested from Kathmandu on February 3. According to a source, they may also face a case of murder attempt.

The Supreme Court had recently refused to release them through habeas corpus petition. Freedom Forum, an NGO, had moved the SC to free the journalists.