Kathmandu: The Cricket Association of Nepal has lifted suspension on Sandeep Lamichhane following the verdict of the High Court to acquit him of rape charges.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, CAN stated that court has cleared rape charges against Lamichhane so the cricketing body has lifted suspension on him to play all domestic as well as international tournament.
With the decision, Lamichhane is now eligible to participate in both domestic and international cricket activities, including the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies.
“The CAN is now preparing to send Lamichhane to play the T20 World Cup,” said a source at CAN.
The Patan High Court on Wednesday acquitted Sandeep Lamichhane, the former captain of the Nepali national cricket team, of rape charges.
A division bench of judges Surya Dev Bhatta and Anju Dhakal issued the verdict, clearing Lamichhane of the allegations.
This decision overturned the Kathmandu District Court’s previous ruling.
The Kathmandu District Court had earlier sentenced Lamichhane to an eight-year jail term on charges of raping a teenager.
According to Tirtharaj Bhattarai, spokesperson for the Patan High Court, the bench overturned the decision due to a lack of evidence.
On January 10, the Kathmandu District Court convicted Lamichhane, sentencing him to a jail term and a fine of Rs 500,000. Both Lamichhane and the district attorney’s office had appealed the district court’s verdict in the high court.
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