Sandeep Lamichhane's rape conviction overturned after appeal

The Patan High Court has overturned the ruling and the eight-year prison sentence, weeks out from the start of the Men's T20 World Cup

The Cricketer | 15/05/2024 at 16:36

Sandeep Lamichhane's conviction for rape and eight-year jail sentence has been overturned.

The Patan High Court have quashed the ruling handed down by Kathmandu District Court.

"He had to be cleared and the high court has set him free. He was not guilty," lawyer Sabita Bhadari Baral told Reuters.

Court spokesperson Tirtharaj Bhattarai added the decision to repeal the conviction was due to "a lack of evidence".

Overlooked for selection in Nepal's Men's T20 World Cup squad, the news comes less than three weeks before the tournament gets underway. Nepal open their campaign against Netherlands in Dallas on June 4.

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Lamichhane has taken 207 T20 wickets (PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP via Getty Images)

It remains to be seen whether Nepal, who have until the end of next week to confirm their squad, now call up the 23-year-old leg-spinner, who has 206 T20 wickets.

In 2022, he was taken into police custody after being accused of raping a woman in a Kathmandu hotel. Lamichhane had been at the Caribbean Premier League with Jamaica Tallawahs but left the tournament to return to his homeland, where was summoned to report to the authorities.

Later released on bail, his return to the national team was met by protests from rights groups.

Following the now overturned conviction being handed down he was suspended by the Cricket Association of Nepal.

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