Remand extended for Rabi Lamichhane, two others

Chitwan, August 20

Chitwan District Court has extended the remand of television host Rabi Lamichhane and two others by five more days after the their previous remand expired today.

Earlier, on Thursday, police arrested Lamichhane, along with Yuvraj Kandel and Asmita Karki, aka Ruku, from Kathmandu for investigation following the suicide case of Mountain TV journalist Shalikram Pudasaini.

Brought to Chitwan the same night and produced at the court the next day, the three were then handed down five-day remand by Chitwan District Court for investigation into the journalist’s suicide.

According to court Registrar Rudramani Giri, a single bench of District Judge Jayatri Prasad Regmi extended the remand

today.

“Though Government Attorney Yadunath Sharma had sought 10-day remand for investigation, the court only granted five days,” Giri said.

While senior advocate Sushil Panta, and advocates Sunil Kumar Pokhrel and Dhudamani Sapkota had argued on behalf of Lamichhane and Kandel, advocate Narayan Giri had argued representing Karki. They had sought the release of the defendants calling them innocent.

Meanwhile, Lamichhane’s supporters held a demonstration in Bharatpur’s Chaubiskothi today as well, seeking his release.

Pudasaini’s body was found hanging in Kangaroo Hotel of Narayangadh on August 5.

Before killing himself, Pudasaini had recorded a video in his own voice on his mobile accusing Lamichhane and the two others of compelling him to commit suicide.

Police had arrested them acting on the basis of the video