CAN-NED: Nepal jails cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane for 8 years in rape case
CAN — Cricket Association of Nepal — suspended Lamichhane in early September last year after an arrest warrant was issued against him
January 10, 2024
Nepal legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been handed an eight-year prison sentence by the Kathmandu District Court after being found guilty of raping an 18-year-old woman.
The verdict was delivered on January 10, accompanied by a fine of Rs 300,000 (approximately $2,255) and an additional compensation order of Rs 200,000 (approximately $1,500) for the victim.
Lamichhane's suspension by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) occurred in early September last year, coinciding with an arrest warrant issued against him.
At that time, Lamichhane, then the Nepal captain, was participating in CPL 2022 with Jamaica Tallawahs in the West Indies. The club promptly announced his departure from the tournament following the suspension.
Expressing intentions to appeal the decision in a higher court, Lamichhane's lawyer, Saroj Ghimire, confirmed the legal challenge.
Lamichhane, who had previously asserted his innocence on Facebook, labelling the charges as a "conspiracy and wrongful allegation," returned to Nepal's cricket side in February amidst controversy.
Notably, during a Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series, opposing players refrained from shaking hands with him, reflecting the contentious nature of the situation.
Despite the conviction, Lamichhane continued his cricket appearances, featuring in events like the ODI World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe and the ODI Asia Cup.
The cricketer led PARSA Club XI to victory on December 29, the same day of his conviction, in a Nepal Pro Club Championship match in Birgunj.
