Sandeep Lamichhane Rape Case: CAN lifts ban on former Nepal captain

After being granted bail, former Nepal Cricket team captain Sandeep Lamichhane’s suspension was revoked by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). Sandeep Lamichhane, 22, was recently granted bail by a Nepal court after being accused of raping a 17-year-old girl in his home country. On October 6, 2022, the former IPL player was arrested and spent the remainder of the year behind prison. The CAN will release the specifics of his suspension lift today.

Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) lifts suspension of rape-accused former National team captain Sandeep Lamichhane. Details would be released today: Birendra Bahadur Chand, CAN official

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2023

What was the incident?

Sandeep Lamichhane was detained at the Tribhuvan International Airport in the country’s capital on October 6, nearly a month after a court issued a warrant for the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl. After arriving in the country in October 2022, Lamichhane was spotted being transported in police custody.

Before being arrested, the Nepal international in a Facebook post on Wednesday said that he was returning to the country and would “fully cooperate in all stages of the investigation and will fight a legal battle to prove my innocence”.

“I know I am facing a difficult time of conspiracy and wrongful allegation and the ramification of its effect is something unimaginable. I am sure there must be some mechanism of compensating to the accused who proven to be innocent in our legal system,” Lamichhane wrote.

“I will soon seek legal support against wrongful prosecution and allegation made against me and I am sure I will get the justice and will return to the cricket ground soon to make the name and fame of my beloved country and I pray for speedy trial. I will fully cooperate in all stages of investigation and will fight legal battle to prove my innocence. Let the justice prevail,” he added.

A Nepalese court issued the order on September 8, while Lamichhane was in the West Indies competing in the Caribbean Premier League. He had stated that he will leave the CPL and return home to face the “baseless claims” at the time.

On September 25, he issued a new statement after failing to return, and Nepalese police stated they had approached Interpol with a “diffusion” notice, asking member countries for assistance in getting Lamichhane back to the country to face charges.

“News of the arrest warrant issued against me made me mentally disturbed. I could not think what to do and what not to do. My health condition is gradually improving and I am planning to return to Nepal as soon as possible to vehemently fight back (against the allegations),” Lamichhane said.

Nepal’s ace card in international cricket

The 22-year-old is by far Nepal’s most well-known cricketer, having competed in T20 competitions around the world, including the IPL, BBL, PSL, BPL, and CPL.

In addition, he is the world’s second-fastest bowler to 50 ODI wickets and third-fastest to 50 T20I wickets. The spinner last appeared in international cricket in August 2022, when he featured in a T20I series against Kenya. Following that, he was scheduled to play for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the CPL but was unable to participate.

Following the rape allegations, Lamichhane was suspended as Nepal captain in September 2022. Prashant Vikram Malla, interim secretary of the Cricket Association of Nepal, stated at the time that his ban will remain in effect awaiting the completion of an investigation.

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