Former Nepal Cricket Team captain Sandeep Lamichhane has been convicted of raping an 18-year-old girl by the Kathmandu District Court on Friday, December 29. The final hearings of the case began on Sunday, December 24 and a single bench of Judge Shishir Raj Dhakal passed the order against the Nepali cricketer while his jail term will be determined in the next hearing as well as any fines or compensation that may be imposed.
Lamichhane is currently out on bail since January 12 and even participated in several tournaments for his country in recent times. The Patan High Court ordered the release of the cricketer responding to a review petition filed by Lamichhane, a joint bench of judges Dhruva Raj Nanda and Ramesh Dahal ordered his release on a bail bond of Rs 2 million with conditions.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma draws flak after signing autograph for rape-accused Sandeep Lamichhane
Notably, Kathmandu District Attorney’s Office filed a case against Lamichhane in September, 2022 accusing him of raping a 17-year-old girl on August 21. The cricketer has been charged under Section 219 of the Criminal Code 2074.
The victim first filed the complaint against him on September 6 at the Metropolitan Police Circle, Gaushala when Lamichhane was in Trinidad and Tobago to play in the Caribbean Premier League.
The Nepal cricketer was arrested on October 6, 2022 from Tribhuvan International Airport. In the chargesheet filed by the district attorney a compensation was demanded from Lamichhane for the victim’s alleged physical and mental torture. After the charge sheet was filed, his bank account and property were frozen.
Also Read: Sandeep Lamichhane to join Nepal for CWC league as injury replacement