Nepali cricket sensation Sandeep Lamichhane was convicted over rape charges, on Friday, as reported by Kathmandu Post. The court, after final hearings that commenced on Sunday, issued the order, also determining that the girl was not a minor at the time of the incident. The next hearing will determine the jail term for the leg-spinner.
The allegations against Lamichhane surfaced last year when he was accused of the offence in a Kathmandu hotel. The victim had filed the case against the Nepalese cricket star at the Metropolitan Police Station in Gaushala while he was playing for Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Upon returning to his native country, he was arrested at the Kathmandu Airport.
The District Court Attorney also sought compensation from Lamichhane for the physical and mental torture endured by the victim. Following the filing of the chargesheet, Sandeep’s bank accounts and property were seized.
Appointed as the captain by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) in December 2021, Lamichhane had to step down from his role in September 2022 due to the charges and subsequent arrest. However, the board lifted his playing ban after he was released on bail in January 2023, allowing him to represent the national team in overseas matches, including the World Cup qualifiers and the Asia Cup in September.
Lamichhane quickly rose to fame as the fastest to 100 ODI wickets in 42 matches. Since his international debut in May 2018, the leg-spinner became a prominent bowler in T20s, participating in various franchise-based leagues, including the IPL, Big Bash League, and the PSL.
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