Nepal Cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane Found Guilty Of Raping Minor Girl

Kathmandu: Nepal cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has been convicted of raping a minor. Lamichhane, 23, is Nepal’s most prominent cricketer, known for being the first player from Nepal to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Delhi Capitals in 2018.

The Kathmandu District Court, under the jurisdiction of Judge Shishir Raj Dhakal, issued the conviction on Friday after concluding final hearings that began on Sunday. Lamichhane had previously been released in January when the court considered a review petition filed by him.

The next legal proceedings will determine the jail term for Lamichhane, who is currently out on bail since the Patan High Court’s decision on January 12. The release was granted on a bail bond of Rs 2 million with specific conditions.

The case against Lamichhane originated from an accusation of raping a 17-year-old girl in a Kathmandu hotel room in August the previous year. The Kathmandu District Attorney’s Office filed the case on November 4, 2022, leading to Lamichhane’s arrest on October 6 upon his return from the Caribbean Premier League.

The district attorney sought compensation for the victim’s alleged physical and mental suffering in the chargesheet, resulting in the freezing of Lamichhane’s bank account and property.

Despite Lamichhane’s international cricket success, including notable achievements in T20 leagues worldwide, his career has been marred by these legal troubles. His last international appearance was in August of the current year against Kenya in a T20I encounter.