Kathmandu: The District Court in Kathmandu has declared cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane, accused of raping a minor girl, as guilty.

The verdict confirming the allegations against him was announced by Justice Shishiraj Dhakal’s bench.

In the ongoing case, where the punishment could exceed three years, no specific duration for Lamichhane’s imprisonment has been mentioned yet.

For this reason, another hearing will determine the length of his imprisonment. In the trial led by Justice Dhakal, Lamichhane will also face charges of fines and compensation.

The legal system provides for a minimum of 10 to 12 years of imprisonment for raping girls aged 16 to 18.

The case was filed by the government lawyer after a minor girl accused Lamichhane of raping her in a hotel in Gausala on September 5 last year.

The trial has been under continuous debate since then.

Last year, on September 21, a teenager accused Lamichhane of forcefully assaulting her. This incident was reported by the Gausala Police.

During the police registration, it was revealed that Sandeep had been playing in the Caribbean Premier League. Following the incident, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) had suspended Sandeep.

After leaving the West Indies, Sandeep returned to Nepal on October 10, and on October 20, Interpol issued a diffusion notice. Following the Interpol notice, Sandeep was detained upon his arrival at the airport.

What is the case?

Sandeep, a former captain of the national team, was accused of rape on Asoj 21, 2079BS . He was on bail at that time. Sandeep was accused of raping the girl in Nagarkot after reaching there from Baneshwor on the night of Baitadi.

During that time, he was supposed to play in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He returned to Nepal on September 20, and he was arrested at the airport.

After completing the investigation process, the police initiated the case through the government lawyer’s office, sending it to the district court in Kathmandu for trial.

Against this, Sandeep went to the High Court. On Phagun 28, 2080 BS, Justice Ramesh Dhakal and Dhruvraj Nandak’s bench overturned the district’s decision, ordering the release on a bail of NPR 2 million. However, he was prohibited from traveling abroad.

After that, Sandeep again joined the national team. Seeking permission to play in foreign leagues, he went to the Supreme Court. On Phagun 15, 2079BS, a joint bench of Justice Sapana Malla Pradhan and Kumar Chudal granted permission for Sandeep to go abroad to play cricket.