Nepal spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been handed an 8-year prison sentence by a Kathmandu court for his involvement in a rape case, as reported by the Kathmandu Post. The verdict was delivered by a single-judge bench, along with a significant fine and compensation imposed on the 23-year-old.
The Verdict
The Kathmandu District Court announced the decision on Wednesday, finding Lamichhane guilty of raping an 18-year-old woman. In addition to the prison sentence, a fine of Rs. 3,00,000 was imposed, and he was ordered to pay a compensation of Rs. 2,00,000 to the victim.
Legal Response
Following the verdict, Lamichhane’s lawyer, Saroj Ghimire, expressed intentions to appeal the decision in a higher court. This comes after an arrest warrant was issued by the Kathmandu police in September last year, resulting in his suspension as the captain of the Nepalese cricket team by the Cricket Association of Nepal.
Despite playing for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League, Lamichhane was released by the franchise and subsequently returned to Kathmandu, where he was arrested. Prior to his arrest, he maintained his innocence and vowed to cooperate with the investigation, dismissing the allegations as a conspiracy.
Career Impact
Lamichhane’s career has been significantly affected by the legal proceedings. Although he was considered for the Nepal team during various international tournaments, his involvement in the case led to his exclusion from the squad and subsequent re-inclusion as an injury replacement.
Notably, he has represented Nepal in the ODI World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe and the Asia Cup, showcasing a successful career with over 100 wickets in white-ball matches for his national team. Additionally, his stint with the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League saw him secure 13 wickets in nine matches between 2018 and 2020.
Conclusion
The Nepal spinner’s legal battle has undoubtedly impacted both his professional and personal life. As he navigates through the appeals process, his future in cricket remains uncertain, with implications for both his domestic and international career.
For more details on the legal proceedings and latest updates, visit Kathmandu Post.