Sandeep Lamichane, the former captain of Nepal’s national cricket team, who was found guilty of raping an 18-year-old girl, has been sentenced to eight years in prison.
His lawyer said that he will file an appeal in the higher court against the prison sentence.
23-year-old Lamichane was a symbol of cricket in Nepal. He was the only player from the Himalayan country to play in the top Twenty20 leagues in India, Australia, Pakistan and the West Indies.
This leg-spinner’s success on the field raised the profile of cricket in Nepal.
He was accused of raping a young woman in a Kathmandu hotel in 2022 and was arrested after the police issued a warrant for his arrest. He was later released on bail. Then he was included in the squad again to compete in international tournaments.
Lamichane was found guilty of rape last month after a trial that was repeatedly delayed. His lawyer said before the sentencing that Lamichane would appeal against the charges against him.
Kathmandu District Court official Chandra Prasad Panti said Lamichane must pay about $3,770 in fines and separate compensation to the victim.
“We are not convinced by the court’s decision … the court has declared Sandeep guilty. Sandeep will go to the higher court for justice,” lawyer Saroj Ghimire told Reuters news agency today (11).
