Nepalese cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has been handed an eight-year prison sentence for his involvement in a rape case.
The verdict, delivered by the bench of Judge Shishir Raj Dhakal, comes after Lamichhane’s conviction in December 2023 and a subsequent hearing.
Lamichhane, a 23-year-old leg spinner who was once a prominent figure in Nepal’s cricketing scene, was accused of raping a 17-year-old girl in a Kathmandu hotel.
The case had garnered widespread attention and had been marred by delays in the legal proceedings.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Lamichhane had been released on bail in January, allowing him to continue playing cricket at the international level.
The court, which included compensation and penalties as part of the sentencing, officially confirmed the verdict today, as relayed by court official Ramu Sharma.
The legal proceedings were conducted with Lamichhane absent from the courtroom, raising questions about the cricketer’s response to the judgment.
Saroj Ghimire, Lamichhane’s legal representative, stated that the court had convicted his client and indicated that the details of the sentence would be determined in a subsequent hearing.
Ghimire also affirmed the intention to challenge the verdict in a higher court, suggesting that the legal battle is far from over.
The controversy surrounding Lamichhane’s legal troubles has had a profound impact on his once-sterling reputation.
Once hailed as the poster boy for the rise of cricket in Nepal, Lamichhane’s on-field success had significantly boosted the sport’s profile in the Himalayan nation.
However, the rape allegations and subsequent conviction have cast a dark shadow over his career.
The cricketer has consistently denied the allegations and has fans’ support, but the legal proceedings have taken a toll on his reputation and standing in the cricketing world.
This case has not only raised questions about the accountability of sports personalities but has also prompted a broader discussion about the intersection of sports, law, and social responsibility.
As the legal process unfolds, the future of Sandeep Lamichhane’s cricketing career remains uncertain, and the impact of this verdict is likely to reverberate across the cricketing world.
