In a significant ruling on Wednesday, the Kathmandu District Court sentenced Nepalese cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane to eight years in prison in a rape case involving a minor. The verdict, delivered by Judge Shishir Raj Dhakal, also includes compensation and penalties, as confirmed by court official Ramu Sharma.
The court had previously indicted Lamichhane, a prominent figure in Nepali cricket, with the bench of Shishir Dhakal hearing the concluding statements from both parties in December last year. The Apex Court had earlier, on February 23, ordered a fast-track process for the case, which faced several delays due to various reasons, including Lamichhane’s cricket commitments.
The hearings were repeatedly postponed as Lamichhane, a former national team captain, traveled to Zimbabwe for World Cup qualifiers. After spending a few months in jail, he was released on bail and permitted to travel abroad. The Patan High Court, on January 12, overturned the Kathmandu District Court’s decision to send Lamichhane to judicial custody, citing insufficient grounds for continued detention. He was subsequently released on a bail of Rs 2 million.
Lamichhane had petitioned the Supreme Court to allow him to join the national team for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 matches in the UAE, against the UAE and Papua New Guinea. On February 27, a joint bench of Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Kumar Chudal ruled in favor of allowing Lamichhane to travel to the UAE.
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The District Government Attorney’s Office (DGAO) of Kathmandu had registered a case against Lamichhane, charging him with the rape of a minor. The investigation under Section 219 of the National Penal (Code) Act, 2017, was initiated following a complaint from a 17-year-old girl. The DGAO sought a prison sentence of up to 12 years, as per the relevant sections of the Penal Code, which stipulate a longer sentence for the rape of minors aged 16 to 18. They also demanded compensation for the victim.
Throughout the proceedings, Lamichhane has consistently denied the allegations. An arrest warrant was issued against him on September 8, and the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) suspended him from the national team on the same day.
