On Wednesday (Jan 10), a Nepal&nbsp;court sentenced former national cricket captain Sandeep Lamichhane to eight years in prison for rape. Lamichhane, 23, has seen his life turn upside down after being accused of raping a young woman in a Kathmandu hotel. Initially, he was freed on bail and returned to the squad to compete in international tournaments. However, he was convicted in December 2023 after a delayed trial (which allowed him to be free and continue his sporting career).&nbsp;

"The court has sentenced him to eight years," Kathmandu district court official Ramu Sharma told AFP. In addition, Lamichhane was ordered to pay a court fine of 300,000 Nepalese rupees ($2,255) and a further 200,000 rupees ($1,500) to the victim "considering the mental impact" his attack had on her.

Lamichhane's&nbsp;lawyer, Saroj Ghimire, told AFP that he "will appeal the decision in a higher court". Earlier, the victim had claimed that she was a minor when raped. Later, the&nbsp;court adjudged&nbsp;that the girl was 18. The cricketer, who was once the poster boy of Nepal cricket, continuously denied all the serious charges against him before the court's verdict found him guilty last month.

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After being released on bail, Lamichhane continued his cricketing career which generated mixed response. While he lost captaincy following the rape allegations, his playing ban was lifted after his release. This propelled him to remain with the national team, including for the World Cup qualifiers and the 2023 Asia Cup. However, Scotland&nbsp;cricketers refrained from shaking hands with the tainted cricketer after their matches during an international tournament in Dubai.

Lamichhane, who remains the only player from Nepal to feature in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), now finds his career at an all-time low following the rape case and long jail term imposed by court. It will be interesting to see what unfolds ahead once he challenges the decision in a higher court.&nbsp;

On Wednesday (Jan 10), a Nepal court sentenced former national cricket captain Sandeep Lamichhane to eight years in prison for rape. Lamichhane, 23, has seen his life turn upside down after being accused of raping a young woman in a Kathmandu hotel.

On Wednesday (Jan 10), a Nepal court sentenced former national cricket captain Sandeep Lamichhane to eight years in prison for rape. Lamichhane, 23, has seen his life turn upside down after being accused of raping a young woman in a Kathmandu hotel. Initially, he was freed on bail and returned to the squad to compete in international tournaments. However, he was convicted in December 2023 after a delayed trial (which allowed him to be free and continue his sporting career). "The court has sentenced him to eight years," Kathmandu district court official Ramu Sharma told AFP. In addition, Lamichhane was ordered to pay a court fine of 300,000 Nepalese rupees ($2,255) and a further 200,000 rupees ($1,500) to the victim "considering the mental impact" his attack had on her. Lamichhane's lawyer, Saroj Ghimire, told AFP that he "will appeal the decision in a higher court". Earlier, the victim had claimed that she was a minor when raped. Later, the court adjudged that the girl was 18. The cricketer, who was once the poster boy of Nepal cricket, continuously denied all the serious charges against him before the court's verdict found him guilty last month. Also read: Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan ruled out of T20Is against India After being released on bail, Lamichhane continued his cricketing career which generated mixed response. While he lost captaincy following the rape allegations, his playing ban was lifted after his release. This propelled him to remain with the national team, including for the World Cup qualifiers and the 2023 Asia Cup. However, Scotland cricketers refrained from shaking hands with the tainted cricketer after their matches during an international tournament in Dubai. Lamichhane, who remains the only player from Nepal to feature in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), now finds his career at an all-time low following the rape case and long jail term imposed by court. It will be interesting to see what unfolds ahead once he challenges the decision in a higher court.

Nepal’s former skipper Sandeep Lamichhane sentenced to eight years for rape

The Kathmandu District Court on Friday ordered Nepal's star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane&nbsp;to be sent to judicial custody until the final hearing over the case of rape of a minor against him. The court decided to remand Lamichhane in custody until the final verdict in the case. The former Nepali national cricket team captain is facing a charge of raping a minor. The preliminary hearing comes after the completion of the bail hearing at the Kathmandu District Court. "Until the final verdict, the star cricketer would be kept in Central Jail," Sundara, Dineshraj Mainali, Superintendent of Police at District Police Range, Kathmandu confirmed ANI over the phone.

The police in the filed complaint has demanded 12 years sentence against Lamichhane. But, Lamichhane, from the first day, has been pleading innocent stating that it to be a ploy to defame him and affect his rising career.

On September 6, a 17-year-old girl filed&nbsp;a complaint against then-captain of Nepal cricket&nbsp; team, Sandeep Lamichhane, accusing him of raping her. Two days after the formal complaint, the Kathmandu police got an arrest warrant against him. On the same day, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) suspended Lamichhane.

The following day, Lamichhane announced&nbsp;to leave&nbsp;his CPL team and&nbsp;return home soon. On September 11, the Department of Immigration blacklisted&nbsp;the rape-accused cricketer so that he could be arrest as soon as he enters the country. After nearly two weeks of silence,&nbsp;on&nbsp;September 25, Lamichhane said&nbsp;he is in isolation to deal with stress but will return to defend the case.

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The following day, Nepal Police circulated a diffusion notice among all Interpol members, seeking help to arrest him. On October 6, Lamichhane arrived&nbsp;in Nepal and was arrested. On October 10, Lamichhane was remanded for seven days to let the police continue the investigation. The court extended&nbsp;his remand in subsequent hearings till the government attorney's office filed&nbsp;a chargesheet&nbsp;against Lamichhane demanding a jail sentence of 10 to 12 years&nbsp;for him.

The Kathmandu District Court on Friday ordered Nepal's star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane to be sent to judicial custody until the final hearing over the case of rape of a minor against him.

The Kathmandu District Court on Friday ordered Nepal's star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane to be sent to judicial custody until the final hearing over the case of rape of a minor against him. The court decided to remand Lamichhane in custody until the final verdict in the case. The former Nepali national cricket team captain is facing a charge of raping a minor. The preliminary hearing comes after the completion of the bail hearing at the Kathmandu District Court. "Until the final verdict, the star cricketer would be kept in Central Jail," Sundara, Dineshraj Mainali, Superintendent of Police at District Police Range, Kathmandu confirmed ANI over the phone. The police in the filed complaint has demanded 12 years sentence against Lamichhane. But, Lamichhane, from the first day, has been pleading innocent stating that it to be a ploy to defame him and affect his rising career. On September 6, a 17-year-old girl filed a complaint against then-captain of Nepal cricket team, Sandeep Lamichhane, accusing him of raping her. Two days after the formal complaint, the Kathmandu police got an arrest warrant against him. On the same day, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) suspended Lamichhane. The following day, Lamichhane announced to leave his CPL team and return home soon. On September 11, the Department of Immigration blacklisted the rape-accused cricketer so that he could be arrest as soon as he enters the country. After nearly two weeks of silence, on September 25, Lamichhane said he is in isolation to deal with stress but will return to defend the case. ALSO READ | Austrian ex-judo champion Peter Seisenbacher freed after sex abuse conviction The following day, Nepal Police circulated a diffusion notice among all Interpol members, seeking help to arrest him. On October 6, Lamichhane arrived in Nepal and was arrested. On October 10, Lamichhane was remanded for seven days to let the police continue the investigation. The court extended his remand in subsequent hearings till the government attorney's office filed a chargesheet against Lamichhane demanding a jail sentence of 10 to 12 years for him.

Nepal spinner Sandeep Lamichhane sent to judicial custody until final verdict in rape case

Former Nepal captain Sandeep&nbsp;Lamichhane returned to his country, on Thursday (October 06), in order to fight the rape charges levied upon him nearly a month ago. Lamichhane, who has denied all the charges, was immediately taken into custody, as per Dinesh Raj Mainali -- a spokesman for Kathmandu district police&nbsp;informed news agency AFP.

Earlier, the wily spinner Lamichhane had informed about his return to his country via a post on his Facebook page and stated that he was ready to fight all charges."I will fully cooperate in all stages of the investigation and will fight legal battle to prove my innocence. Let the justice prevail," Lamichhane had posted.

The serious charges levied upon Lamichhane led to his suspension&nbsp;as Nepal's captain after a country's court&nbsp;issued an arrest warrant on September 8. It followed an accusation from a teenager that the 22-year-old spinner had raped her in a Kathmandu hotel room two months back.

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Before his arrival in Nepal, Lamicchane finally broke his silence on the rape charges and wrote on Facebook, "With great hope and strength, I hereby confirm that I am reaching to my home country, Nepal on this 6th October 2022 and will submit myself to the authority of Nepal to fight a legal battle against false allegation."

"I hereby reiterate that I am INNOCENT and I have complete non-shaken faith in justice system. I firmly believe over all the law enforcement authorities and honorable courts on their fair trial and adjudication and I am just hopeful to get justice at the earliest. My dear well-wishers I assure you all that I am innocent and I have not wronged you. I have recovered from unpleasant situation I went through and I have prepared myself to go through this ordeal to prove myself innocent and victim of conspiracy. I am sure all wrongful allegation charged against me will be unfolded by the span of time," he added.

It is to be noted that Lamichhane is an integral member of the Nepal cricket team, having also captained the side before the serious charges&nbsp;led to his suspension from the post. His breakthrough moment came when he became the first-ever cricketer from Nepal to feature in the IPL (for the Delhi Capitals). He, however, has not been able to be a regular in the cash-rich league. Nonetheless, his entry into the IPL led to him becoming a prominent face in T20 leagues across the globe.

For Nepal, the 22-year-old has accounted for 69 and 85 wickets, in ODIs and T20Is respectively.

Former Nepal captain Sandeep Lamichhane returned to his country, on Thursday (October 06), in order to fight the rape charges levied upon him nearly a month ago.

Former Nepal captain Sandeep Lamichhane returned to his country, on Thursday (October 06), in order to fight the rape charges levied upon him nearly a month ago. Lamichhane, who has denied all the charges, was immediately taken into custody, as per Dinesh Raj Mainali -- a spokesman for Kathmandu district police informed news agency AFP. Earlier, the wily spinner Lamichhane had informed about his return to his country via a post on his Facebook page and stated that he was ready to fight all charges."I will fully cooperate in all stages of the investigation and will fight legal battle to prove my innocence. Let the justice prevail," Lamichhane had posted. The serious charges levied upon Lamichhane led to his suspension as Nepal's captain after a country's court issued an arrest warrant on September 8. It followed an accusation from a teenager that the 22-year-old spinner had raped her in a Kathmandu hotel room two months back. ALSO READ | Nepal cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane to surrender to authorities and fight against rape allegations Before his arrival in Nepal, Lamicchane finally broke his silence on the rape charges and wrote on Facebook, "With great hope and strength, I hereby confirm that I am reaching to my home country, Nepal on this 6th October 2022 and will submit myself to the authority of Nepal to fight a legal battle against false allegation." "I hereby reiterate that I am INNOCENT and I have complete non-shaken faith in justice system. I firmly believe over all the law enforcement authorities and honorable courts on their fair trial and adjudication and I am just hopeful to get justice at the earliest. My dear well-wishers I assure you all that I am innocent and I have not wronged you. I have recovered from unpleasant situation I went through and I have prepared myself to go through this ordeal to prove myself innocent and victim of conspiracy. I am sure all wrongful allegation charged against me will be unfolded by the span of time," he added. It is to be noted that Lamichhane is an integral member of the Nepal cricket team, having also captained the side before the serious charges led to his suspension from the post. His breakthrough moment came when he became the first-ever cricketer from Nepal to feature in the IPL (for the Delhi Capitals). He, however, has not been able to be a regular in the cash-rich league. Nonetheless, his entry into the IPL led to him becoming a prominent face in T20 leagues across the globe. For Nepal, the 22-year-old has accounted for 69 and 85 wickets, in ODIs and T20Is respectively.

Former Nepal captain Sandeep Lamichhane in custody on account of rape charges