Nepal cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has been handed an eight-year prison sentence by the Kathmandu District Court on Wednesday, January 10, following his conviction for rape. Additionally, the former Nepal Captain has been fined Rs 3 Lakh, and he is required to pay Rs 2 Lakh as compensation to the victim.
An accusation was lodged against the leg-spinner in September 2022, alleging that he had raped the victim in a Kathmandu hotel in August 2021. After an extensive investigation and court proceedings, Lamichhane was officially convicted on December 29, 2023. The final hearing, conducted by a single bench led by Judge Shishir Raj Dhakal, determined the punishment.
Throughout the trial, the cricketer from Syangja was granted bail and maintained his participation in international cricket representing his nation. He went as far as appealing to the Supreme Court to contest limitations on his movements, seeking permission to travel to the UAE for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 matches in February 2023. During this period, he actively took part in the Asia Cup 2023, playing in matches against both India and Pakistan.
Lamichhane is recognized as a prominent figure in Nepal cricket, holding the record for the highest number of wickets for his country in both ODIs and T20Is. The wrist spinner has accumulated 112 wickets from 51 ODIs, boasting an average of 18.06 and an economy of 4.37. Additionally, he has secured three five-wicket hauls in ODIs.
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In T20 Internationals, he has taken 98 wickets in 52 matches, maintaining an average of 12.58 and an economy rate of 6.29. Not only this, at the age of 23, he achieved the distinction of being the inaugural player from his country to feature in the Indian Premier League, representing Delhi Capitals from 2018 to 2020.
