Nepal Cricket Star Sandeep Lamichhane Faces Jail Time, To Remain Incarcerated for…

The former national cricket team captain of Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for raping a minor. The verdict was delivered by the bench of Shishir Raj Dhakal after a recent hearing, as confirmed by court official Ramu Sharma. Lamichhane, who was once a symbol of cricket’s ascent in Nepal, had his on-field success elevate the sport’s profile in the Himalayan republic. The former captain was found guilty of raping a 17-year-old girl at a Kathmandu hotel. Despite being accused and released on bail in January, he continued to participate in international tournaments. His sentencing will be determined in the next hearing, as stated by his lawyer Saroj Ghimire. Lamichhane’s failure to return from Jamaica, where he was playing in the Caribbean Premier League, upon the issuance of an arrest warrant, further aggravated his situation. After his return and subsequent arrest, Nepal initially lifted his playing ban after he was released on bail, but he was later dismissed as the national captain.