Kathmandu, December 29
The Kathmandu District Court has convicted cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane of raping a girl by taking advantage of her financial condition.
The bench, presided over by Judge Shishir Raj Dhakal, has deemed Lamichhane guilty of raping Gaushala 26.
The court has mandated a separate hearing to determine the duration of imprisonment. Dhakal’s bench has not specified the length of his sentence yet.
Judge Dhakal’s courtroom will conduct a separate hearing to decide on the imprisonment term, as well as any fines or compensation that may be imposed on Lamichhane.
The court, however, has determined that the girl Lamichhane raped is not a minor.
2022
September 6: A 17-year-old girl files a complaint against the then captain of the Nepal national cricket team, Sandeep Lamichhane, accusing him of raping her.
September 8: Kathmandu police receive an arrest warrant against him.
September 8: Cricket Association of Nepal suspends Lamichhane from the team.
September 9: Lamichhane leaves his CPL team, saying he would return home soon.
September 11: The Department of Immigration blacklists rape-accused cricket star Sandeep Lamichhane so that the police can arrest him as soon as he enters the country.
September 25: Lamichhane says he is in isolation to deal with stress but will return to defend the case.
September 26: Nepal Police circulates a diffusion notice among all Interpol members, seeking help to arrest him.
October 6: Lamichhane arrives in Nepal to get arrested.
October 10: Lamichhane gets remanded for seven days to let the police continue the investigation.
October 13: The remand is extended by five days.
October 19: The remand is extended by four days again.
October 23: The remand is extended by two days.
October 31: The government attorney’s office files a lawsuit, demanding a jail sentence of 10 to 12 years, against Sandeep Lamichhane
November 4: The cricket star is sent to judicial custody until the final verdict.
2023
January 12: Patan High Court orders to release him on bail.
December 29: Kathmandu District Court finds him guilty.
