KATHMANDU, Aug 16: Police on Thursday arrested three persons including Rabi Lamicchane, a television presenter, in connection with an apparent suicide of journalist Shalikram Pudasaini.
Lamichhane was arrested after a video allegedly recorded by Pudasaini himself before committing suicide emerged. Pudasaini, who was most recently working with Mountain Television until his death at a Chitwan-based hotel this week. He was found hanging from the ceiling of a Chitwan-based hotel, according to police.
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In a recorded video that was posted on social media after Pudasaini's 'suicide', the deceased has held three persons — Lamichhane, Yubaraj Kadel and Asmita Karki -- responsible "for his decision to kill himself".
On Thursday, a team of police deployed by Chitwan District Police Office arrested Lamichhane and his colleague Yubaraj Kadel from Kathmandu-based News 24 television office. Informed sources said Lamichhane was arrested after police received information that Lamichhane has already produced a report about "Pudasaini's suicide" for his television show Sidhakura Janata Sanga and was planning to air it on Thursday.
Initially, the police requested Lamichhane not to postpone the broadcast of his program Thursday. But Lamichhane refused and police arrested him.
“Lamichhane has been accused of encouraging the accused to commit suicide. Our investigation is underway,” said Metropolitan Police Chief Uttam Raj Subedi adding, “We are sending him to Chitwan.”
Police have already arrested Asmita Karki, another person accused by Pudasaini on the video.
