Nepal's renowned legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been handed an eight-year prison sentence by the Kathmandu District Court after being found guilty of raping an 18-year-old woman.
The verdict, delivered on January 10, has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community and the nation.
Lamichhane, who was suspended by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) in September last year following an arrest warrant, had been participating in CPL 2022 with Jamaica Tallawahs in the West Indies at the time of his suspension.
The club promptly announced his departure from the tournament, and he was stripped of his captaincy for the national team.
The court's decision also includes a fine of Rs 300,000 (approximately $2,255) and an additional compensation order of Rs 200,000 (approximately $1,500) for the victim, marking a significant legal setback for the once-celebrated cricketer.
Expressing his intent to appeal the decision, Lamichhane's lawyer, Saroj Ghimire, confirmed the initiation of a legal challenge in a higher court. Lamichhane, who had vehemently denied the charges on Facebook, labeling them as a "conspiracy and wrongful allegation," now faces an uphill battle to overturn the conviction.
Despite the suspension and subsequent legal proceedings, Lamichhane had made a controversial return to Nepal's cricket side in February.
However, the contentious nature of the situation became apparent during a Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series when opposing players refrained from shaking hands with the cricketer.
In a surprising development, Lamichhane continued to participate in cricket events even after the conviction, featuring prominently in competitions such as the ODI World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe and the ODI Asia Cup.
His leadership skills were evident when he led PARSA Club XI to victory on December 29 in a Nepal Pro Club Championship match in Birgunj, the same day as his conviction.
