Kathmandu, Nepal

The Kathmandu District Court on Friday convicted the former Nepal captain and star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane of rape. Following the final hearings that began on Sunday, a single bench of Judge Shishir Raj Dhakal passed the order, also concluding that the girl was not a minor at the time of the rape.

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Per the latest reports coming from Nepal, the next hearing will determine the jail term for the senior member of the Nepal men’s cricket team.

Earlier this year, on January 12, the Patan High Court ordered Lamichhane’s release on bail. Responding to a review petition filed by the former Nepalese captain, a joint bench of Judges Dhruva Raj Nanda and Ramesh Dahal ordered Lamichhane’s release on bail bond of Rupees 2 million with stipulations.

Meanwhile, on November 4, 2022, the Kathmandu District Court passed the order for Lamichhane’s arrest in the Sundhara-based Central Jail following a detention hearing. Shortly after the court's order, Sandeep moved to the high court, challenging the decision.

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The Kathmandu District Attorney’s office filed a case against Sandeep, accusing him of raping a 17-year-old on August 21, 2022, in a hotel room. He was charged under section 219 of the Criminal Code 2074.

The girl filed a case against the Nepalese men’s team star at the Metropolitan Police Station in Gaushala. At that time, the then-22-year-old spinner was plying his trade for Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Upon arriving in his native country, police arrested him at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

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The District Court Attorney had also demanded compensation from Sandeep Lamichhane for the victim’s alleged physical and mental torture. After the charge sheet was filed, Sandeep’s bank accounts and property were seized.

The rise and fall of Sandeep Lamichhane

Already regarded as the most successful and followed Nepalese cricketer, Sandeep is the quickest to 100 ODI wickets. 

Since his international debut in May 2018, the leg-spinner emerged as the go-to-bowler in T20s, having played in several franchise-based leagues in his brief career thus far, including in the IPL, Big Bash League and the PSL.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) appointed him as the captain in December 2021, and he got sacked in September next year over rape charges and got arrested soon after. 

After he got released on bail in January 2023, the CAN allowed Sandeep to play as their key bowler in the overseas matches. 

Meanwhile, Lamichhane’s last ODI appearance came against India during the Asia Cup in Pallekele on September 4.