Nepal cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has been acquitted by the Patan High Court in a rape case, overturning a previous verdict by the Kathmandu District Court. The decision clears the way for Lamichhane to be considered for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The Kathmandu District Court had sentenced Lamichhane to eight years in jail in January, but the Patan High Court’s ruling has now declared him innocent. This development comes as a relief to the 23-year-old cricketer, who can now focus on his career.
“I am relieved and grateful for the court’s decision. It has been a challenging time for me and my family, but I always had faith in the judicial system,” said Lamichhane in a statement following the verdict.
Lamichhane’s legal team, led by senior advocates Ram Narayan Bidari, Raman Shrestha, Shambu Thapa, Murari Sapkota, and Krishna Sapkota, presented a strong case challenging the previous verdict. Their arguments were pivotal in securing Lamichhane’s acquittal.
“I am thankful to my legal team for their unwavering support and dedication. They believed in my innocence and worked tirelessly to prove it,” added Lamichhane.
The court found Lamichhane innocent of raping a woman identified as Gushala, who was 26 years old at the time, in a hotel in Tilganga on August 21, 2022. The decision has paved the way for Lamichhane to be included in Nepal’s squad for the T20 World Cup, with the ICC allowing teams to make changes to their squad until May 25.
Nepal has already announced its 15-player squad for the tournament, led by Rohit Paudel, but Lamichhane’s availability could provide a significant boost to their chances. He has represented Nepal in 52 T20I matches, taking 98 wickets, and is considered a key player in their T20 World Cup campaign.
Nepal is set to face The Netherlands on June 4 at Texan in their opening match of the T20 World Cup. Lamichhane’s inclusion in the squad could bolster their bowling attack and add depth to the team.
The court’s decision has been welcomed by the cricketing community, with many expressing their support for Lamichhane. His acquittal marks the end of a challenging chapter in his life and opens up new opportunities for his cricketing career.
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