The Chitwan District Court on Monday released TV show host Rabi Lamichhane and journalist Yubaraj Kandel on bail. Another accused Asmita Karki was remanded at large.

Police had arrested Lamichhane, Kandel and Karki on August 15 for their alleged role in abetting the suicide of journalist Shalikram Pudasaini, who was found hanging in a hotel room in Chitwan on August 6.

According to the court registrar, Rudra Mani Giri, a single bench of Judge Hemanta Rawal set Rs 500,000 and Rs 300,000 bail amount for Lamichhane and Kandel respectively. The court also ordered Lamichhane, Kandel and Karki not to broadcast any programme or comment on social media about the case until the final verdict.

The Chitwan District Attorney’s Office had filed a case against the trio on a suicide abetment charge on Sunday.

The hearing on the case began after the court completed recording the statements of Lamichhane and Kandel on Monday.

A large number of people had gathered in front of the District Police Office in Chitwan, demanding the release of the defendants on Monday. Security personnel lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the mob.

The local administration in Chitwan has issued a prohibitory order in Bharatpur Bazaar area to prevent any untoward events.

Lamichhane, Pudasaini and Karki were arrested after video footage surfaced on social media, in which Pudasaini accused the trio of forcing him to commit suicide.