Former Nepal captain Sandeep Lamichhane has recently been found guilty of rape by the Kathmandu District Court, with the sentencing yet to be determined in the upcoming hearing.
Renowned as one of Asia's top spinners, Lamichhane, the sole Nepalese cricketer to have participated in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has showcased his skills in various cricket leagues worldwide, including the Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League, T10 League, Global T20 Canada, and Men's Hundred.
Despite a promising career and bright prospects at the age of 23, Lamichhane's trajectory took a devastating turn due to a rape accusation filed by a 17-year-old girl on September 6, 2022. The Kathmandu District Attorney’s office pursued legal action, resulting in Lamichhane's arrest.
Although granted bail earlier this year, a recent ruling by a single-judge bench, presided over by Shishir Raj Dhakal, has confirmed Lamichhane's conviction. Crucially, the bench determined that the victim was not a minor at the time of the incident, leaving the court to decide the cricketer's prison term in the subsequent hearing.
Presently, Lamichhane serves as the captain of the PARSA team in the ongoing Nepal Pro Club Championship. Despite his legal troubles, PARSA, under Lamichhane's leadership, secured a place in the final by triumphing over NAC in the semifinal.
The championship's final is set to take place tomorrow afternoon, pitting PARSA against Nepal Police Club at 1 PM IST in Birgunj. Meanwhile, Lamichhane's future participation in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) appears doubtful, as Lahore Qalandars had earlier signed him as their Platinum Pick for the 2024 season. The unfolding legal situation may impact his availability for the upcoming PSL tournament.