The Special Court on Tuesday decided to release the five national footballers, who face subversion charges for their alleged involvement in fixing various international matches, on bail. 

A division bench of Special Court chaired by Mohan Raman Bhattarai and comprising justices Bhupendra Prasad Rai and Mahesh Prasad Pudasaini issued the order after conducting hearing on the treason charges filed against the four national players and a coach. 

National team captain Sagar Thapa along with his deputy Sandeep Rai, second-choice goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa, former player turned coach Anjan KC and defender Bikash Singh Chhetri were arrested by police on October 14 for their alleged involvement in fixing Nepal’s international matches. 

The court has demanded a bail amount of Rs 500,000 from coach Anjan KC, Rs 500,000 from Ritesh Thapa, Rs 150,000 from Sagar Thapa, Rs 50,000 from Sandeep Rai and Rs 50,000 from Bikash Singh. 

The Office of Attorney General had registered a case with the Special Court seeking for life-imprisonment against the accused players under the Crime against State and Punishment Act, 1989.