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Nepal's cricket star, Sandeep Lamichhane, convicted of Rape; sentencing scheduled for January 10

The court's decision implies a potential jail term of up to 10 years for Lamichhane.

By Omar | Dec 30, 2023 | 2 Min Read

Sandeep Lamichhane, Nepal’s celebrated 23-year-old cricketer and a prominent figure in the nation’s cricketing landscape, has been found guilty of raping a teenage girl. The Kathmandu district court reached the verdict and set January 10 as the date for sentencing in this disturbing case.

Renowned as the face of cricket in Nepal, Lamichhane stood out as the sole player from the country to participate in significant Twenty20 leagues globally. Last year, he faced suspension from his role as Nepal’s captain and was apprehended following a police-issued arrest warrant related to the assault in 2022. Although subsequently released on bail, Lamichhane’s future now hangs in the balance.

The court’s decision implies a potential jail term of up to 10 years for Lamichhane. In response to the verdict, his legal team expressed surprise and frustration, stating that an appeal to a higher court is imminent.

“We did not expect this judgement… we are frustrated,” remarked lawyer Sabita Bhandari Baral to Reuters following Friday’s verdict. “We’ll definitely appeal,” she affirmed.

Lamichhane, known for his appearances in Australia’s Big Bash and the Indian Premier League, faced suspension as Nepal’s captain in September 2022 in the wake of a rape accusation.

After a warrant was issued for his arrest, he was taken into custody after flying home to Kathmandu from playing in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

In a Facebook statement during that period, he asserted his intention to cooperate with the investigation, vehemently denying any wrongdoing.

After being released on bail, Lamichhane made a comeback to the Nepal side in February, despite encountering protests during a Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series against Scotland and Namibia. Players from both opposing nations refrained from shaking his hand, yet Lamichhane continued to represent Nepal throughout the entirety of 2023.