Nepalese cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane was acquitted by the Patan High Court on Wednesday (May 15), having been convicted of rape by the Kathmandu District Court last year. 

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According to Nepalese media reports, the bench of Judges Sudarashan Dev Bhatta and Anju Upreti Dhakal overturned the lower court’s verdict. 

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“The district court’s verdict has been overturned, Sandeep Lamichhane has been acquitted,” Parajuli was quoted as saying by setopati.com. 

The leg-spinner was sentenced to eight years in prison and fined Rs 300,000 in January this year. He was also ordered to pay compensation of Rs 200,000 to the victim.

After being acquitted, it is being reported that Lamichhane will be available for selection for the men’s senior team for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA.  

Although a 15-member squad, led by captain Rohit Paudel has been announced, ICC has granted provision to the teams to make changes to their squad until May 25, which makes it certain that Lamichhane will get the nod. 

What was Lamichchane accused of?

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.

Lamichhane’s cricketing career

Lamichhane made his international debut in May 2018 and quickly emerged as the go-to-bowler in T20s. He became the top pick in several franchise-based leagues, including the India Premier League, Big Bash League and the PSL.

In his short career, he managed to scalp over 100 wickets in more than 100 white-ball matches for Nepal. He was part of the Delhi Capitals squad between 2018-20, and bagged 13 wickets in nine fixtures.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) appointed him as the captain in December 2021, but he was sacked in September of the following year after the rape charges and as court proceedings started subsequently. 

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