An arrest warrant has been issued for Sandeep Lamichhane, the captain of the Cricket Association of Nepal’s men’s team, for the alleged rape of an underaged 17 year old girl. The alleged rape occured on August 21, just before Nepal’s men’s team flew to Kenya for five T20I and three fifty overs games against the hosts.
According to an article by the Kathmandu Post, Lamicchane met the girl, a fan of his, on social media and began a conversational relationship. Lamichhane then asked the young lady to meet him in Kathmandu, and she obliged. The pair then allegedly traveled via car to Nagarkot, where the accuser asked to be returned to her hostel many times. Finally, upon return, the accuser’s hostile was closed, and so Lamichhane reserved a hotel room for the two of them, where the rape allegedly occurred.
The police have since reviewed evidence, including CCTV, and decided to issue an arrest warrant for Lamichhane. Following the arrest warrant, the Cricket Association of Nepal suspended Lamichhane immediately and indefinitely.
Lamichhane maintained his innocence via social media, tweeting “I am INNOCENT & keep complete belief in the respectable laws of Nepal. I have decided to take a leave from CPL and go back to my country within few days. I am ready to face all these baseless allegations. May justice be served to the innocent & right investigation to be done towards everyone involved. Hoe the law acts equal to everyone.”
According to Nepal’s Civil Crimes, Section 219, Lamichhane would face between 10-12 years behind bars if convincted.
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