CAN – Nepal Cricket Association – suspended Lamichhane in early September last year after an arrest warrant was issued against him.
Nepalese player Sandeep Lamichhane has been sentenced to eight years in prison by the Kathmandu District Court after being found guilty of raping an 18-year-old woman.
The verdict was handed down on January 10, accompanied by a fine of 300,000 rupees (approximately $2,255) and an order for additional compensation of 200,000 rupees (approximately $1,500) for the victim.
Lamichhane's suspension by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) came in early September last year, coinciding with an arrest warrant issued against him.
At that time, Lamichhane, then captain of Nepal, was participating in the CPL 2022 with Jamaica Tallawahs in the West Indies. The club quickly announced his departure from the tournament after the suspension.
Lamichhane's lawyer, Saroj Ghimire, expressed his intention to appeal the decision to a higher court and upheld the legal challenge.
Lamichhane, who had previously claimed his innocence on Facebook, calling the charges a “conspiracy and wrongful accusation”, returned to the Nepal cricket team in February amid controversy.
Notably, during a Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series, opposing players refrained from shaking his hand, reflecting the contentious nature of the situation.
Despite the conviction, Lamichhane continued his cricket appearances, appearing at events such as the ODI World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe and the ODI Asia Cup.
The cricketer led PARSA Club XI to victory on December 29, the same day of his conviction, in a Nepal Pro Club Championship match in Birgunj.
