Nepal Cricket Star Sandeep Lamichhane Sentenced to 8 Years for Rape, Plans Appeal
Former Captain Convicted, Faces Fine and Compensation Payment After High-Profile Case
Sandeep Lamichhane, the most well-known cricket player in Nepal, was found guilty on Wednesday of raping an 18-year-old woman and was given an eight-year prison sentence.
His attorney promised to file an appeal with a higher court.
As the only player from the Himalayan nation to compete in prestigious Twenty20 competitions in India, Australia, Pakistan, and the West Indies, Lamichhane, 23, has been the face of cricket in Nepal.
The leg-spinner was arrested by authorities for the assault in 2022, which resulted in his suspension as Nepal's captain and his subsequent release on bond.
According to Chandra Prasad Panthi, a district court official in Kathmandu, Lamichhane must further pay the victim's compensation and a fine of almost $3,770.
Lamichhane was sentenced on Wednesday after being convicted guilty of rape last month. Prior to the sentencing, Lamichhane's attorney declared that he will file an appeal of his conviction.
"We don't think the court's ruling is sound... Sandeep has been proclaimed convicted by the court on whim. In search of justice, Sandeep will go to a higher court, his attorney Saroj Ghimire told Reuters on Wednesday.
Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.
