In a shocking turn of events, Nepal's prominent spinner, Sandeep Lamichhane, has been handed an eight-year prison sentence by the Kathmandu District Court for the rape of an 18-year-old woman. The verdict, announced on Wednesday, also included a fine of Rs. 3,00,000 and a compensation order of Rs. 2,00,000 for the victim.
The 23-year-old cricketer, who had an arrest warrant issued against him by Kathmandu police in September last year, has faced severe consequences both professionally and legally. The Cricket Association of Nepal suspended Lamichhane as the captain of the national team following the arrest, and his participation in the Caribbean Premier League for Jamaica Tallawahs was abruptly terminated.
While playing for Jamaica Tallawahs, Lamichhane was recalled to Kathmandu upon the arrest warrant, and he has consistently maintained his innocence. Lamichhane's lawyer, Saroj Ghimire, has stated that they plan to appeal the decision in a higher court.
The cricketer, who has represented Nepal in various international tournaments, wrote on Facebook before his arrest, expressing his commitment to cooperating with the investigation and vowing to fight the legal battle, dismissing the charges as a "conspiracy and wrongful allegation."
Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Lamichhane made a brief comeback to the Nepal squad during the Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series at home last February. However, he was subsequently dropped for the World Cup League 2 tri-series in Dubai last year, only to rejoin the team later as an injury replacement.
Lamichhane's cricketing career has seen notable achievements, with over 100 wickets in more than 100 white-ball matches for Nepal. Additionally, he had a stint in the Indian Premier League with Delhi Capitals between 2018-20, where he claimed 13 wickets in nine fixtures.
This troubling incident has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community, raising questions about the future of Lamichhane's career and the impact on Nepali cricket. The legal proceedings, coupled with the cricketer's intent to appeal, will likely unfold in the coming months, shaping the narrative around this unfortunate chapter in Lamichhane's life.