The Chitwan District Attorney’s Office on Sunday filed a chargesheet against three individuals, including TV show host Rabi Lamichhane, for their alleged role in abetting the suicide of journalist Shalikram Pudasaini.

A suicide abetment case has been lodged at the court against Lamichhane, Yubaraj Kandel and Ashmita Karki, according to Rudra Mani Giri, an official at the Chitwan District Court.

District Judge Hemanta Rawal has started recording statements of the accused, he said.

The court recorded Karki’s statement on Sunday while Lamichhane and Kandel are scheduled to record their statements on Monday.

Earlier in the day, the Chitwan District Police had submitted its report, with suggestions, to the district attorney’s office after completing its investigation.

The three accused were arrested after a video footage, recorded by Pudasaini on his mobile phone before his apparent suicide, surfaced in which he accused the three of forcing him to commit suicide.

As per a new law enacted last year, there’s a provision of punishment if someone is found involved in abetting suicide. As per the provision, the guilty can face a jail term up to five years.

Pudasaini, who earlier used to work for News24, was associated with Mountain Television when he was found hanging in a hotel room in Chitwan on August 6. All three accused were arrested on August 15.