Suspended Nepali cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has been acquitted of rape charges by the Patan High Court. The division bench of judges overturned the previous verdict of the Kathmandu District Court, citing a lack of evidence. This decision comes after Lamichhane was sentenced to eight years in jail by the district court earlier this year.
The case dates back to 2022 when Sandeep Lamichhane, former captain of the national cricket team, was accused of raping a girl. However, the recent ruling has cleared Lamichhane of all charges, highlighting the challenges of proving guilt in such cases.
Lamichhane and the district attorney’s office both appealed the district court’s verdict, leading to the high court’s reconsideration of the case. Following a detention hearing last November, Sandeep Lamichhane was sent to Central Jail but was later released on bail by a division bench of high court judges in January, pending further investigation.
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One of the key points of contention was Lamichhane’s travel restrictions imposed by the high court, which prohibited him from leaving Kathmandu without prior police approval. Lamichhane challenged these restrictions in the Supreme Court, and in February, a division bench ruled in his favor, allowing him to travel abroad for cricketing commitments.
Throughout this legal saga, Sandeep Lamichhane maintained his innocence, and the recent acquittal by the Nepal High Court vindicates him. The case has garnered significant attention, given Lamichhane’s stature as a prominent cricketer in Nepal and beyond.
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While the court’s decision brings relief to Lamichhane and his supporters, it also raises questions about the handling of such sensitive cases and the importance of a thorough investigation to ensure justice for all parties involved.
Sandeep Lamichhane’s acquittal by the Nepal High Court marks the end of a tumultuous legal battle. Despite the challenges faced, Lamichhane can now focus on his cricketing career, with the cloud of allegations finally lifted from his shoulders.