Kathmandu District Court has convicted former Nepal cricket team captain Sandeep Lamichhane of raping an 18-year-old girl. The verdict was delivered by Judge Shishir Raj Dhakal after the conclusion of the final hearings. Lamichhane, who is currently out on bail, will face sentencing in the next hearing.
The case against Lamichhane dates back to September 2022, when a teenager filed a complaint alleging that he had raped her in a hotel room in Kathmandu. Lamichhane was arrested upon his return to Nepal from the Caribbean Premier League, where he was playing for the Jamaica Tallawahs. He was initially denied bail, but was later released on a bail of Rs 2 million in January 2023.
The trial has been closely followed in Nepal, with Lamichhane maintaining his innocence throughout. His supporters have argued that the allegations are false and motivated by a desire to extort money from the cricketer. However, the court found the prosecution's case to be convincing and convicted Lamichhane of rape.
The sentencing hearing is expected to take place in the coming weeks. Lamichhane could face up to life in prison if convicted.
The verdict is a major blow to Lamichhane's career. The 22-year-old was considered one of Nepal's most promising young cricketers, and had played for several teams in the Indian Premier League. He was also the captain of the Nepal national team.
It is unclear whether Lamichhane will be able to continue his cricketing career following his conviction. The Cricket Association of Nepal has not yet commented on the verdict, but it is likely that Lamichhane will face a ban from the sport.
The rape conviction of Sandeep Lamichhane is a stark reminder of the seriousness of sexual assault. It is also a reminder that no one is above the law, no matter how famous or talented they may be.
