Kathmandu, June 17 -- The Kathmandu District Court released comedian Pranesh Gautam on a general date on Sunday.

Chief of the Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu, Senior Superintendent of Police Uttam Raj Subedi confirmed the release of Gautam.

Gautam, 24, was arrested by the Metropolitan Crime Division on June 7 following a complaint filed by filmmaker Milan Chams citing that a video, a review of Cham's recent release Bir Bikram 2, by Gautam had insulted and defamed the movie and the artists involved.

Following the arrest of Gautam, comedians, rights activists, and the general public have been demanding his release saying that the move had curtailed freedom of speech .

A charge sheet was filed against Gautam in the court on Friday....