Key Points:
- Sandeep Lamichhane sentenced to 8 years for rape, fined 3 lakh rupees, and ordered to pay 2 lakh rupees compensation.
- Lamichhane maintains innocence and appeals verdict to the High Court.
- Conviction comes after months of controversy and suspension from national team.
- Case raises questions about Lamichhane’s cricketing future and social status.
The District Court of Kathmandu has sentenced cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane to eight years in prison after finding him guilty of rape. In addition to the prison sentence, Lamichhane has been ordered to pay a fine of three lakh rupees and compensation of two lakh rupees to the victim.
The sentence was pronounced on Wednesday by Judge Shishirraj Dhakal. Bunu Bhandari, a salaried lawyer of the Kathmandu District Court, confirmed the verdict.
Despite the district court’s decision, Lamichhane maintains his innocence and has taken his case to the High Court. Advocate Sarojkrishna Ghimire, representing Lamichhane, insists that the cricketer is not guilty and that the conviction lacks basis, reason, and evidence.
Following the sentencing debate in the Kathmandu District Court, Lamichhane argued for his right to appeal to the High Court. He is currently submitting a plea asserting his innocence.
Ghimire clarified that they participated in the sentencing debate out of obligation to accept the district court’s decision, but they demanded a lesser sentence. Ghimire cited Lamichhane’s personality, his impact on the sports world, his good character, and his social responsibility as reasons for a minimum punishment.
The bench of Kathmandu District Court Judge Shishirraj Dhakal convicted Lamichhane in the rape case on December 13th. The case continues to unfold as Lamichhane seeks justice in the High Court.
The saga began in September 2022, when Lamichhane, then the national captain, was suspended by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) following a rape complaint filed against him in Kathmandu. He was arrested upon returning to Nepal from the Caribbean Premier League, vehemently denying the accusations and calling it a “conspiracy.”
Despite regaining a spot in the national team earlier this year, the controversy continued haunted Lamichhane. Opposition players refused handshakes after matches, and his selection for tournaments remained contentious.
The December 29th conviction came just moments after Lamichhane led his club team to victory in a domestic match, highlighting the complex and conflicting narratives surrounding his case.
As Lamichhane pursues his appeal in the High Court, the future of his cricketing career hangs in the balance. The verdict and its potential repercussions are sure to remain a subject of heated discussions and debates in Nepal and beyond.
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