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[Saba Sports News] On Friday, December 29, the Kathmandu District Court delivered a significant verdict in a high-profile case, finding former Nepal cricket team captain Sandeep Lamichhane guilty of rape. The judgment was passed by Judge Shishir Raj Dhakal after a comprehensive single judge bench hearing that began on Sunday. The court determined that the victim was not a minor at the time the crime was committed.
The legal proceedings against Lamichhane began in September 2022 when the charges were first filed. Despite these serious accusations, Lamichhane continued to play cricket for Nepal, benefiting from bail while his trial was pending. This situation arose after a lower court’s decision to detain him was overturned by the Nepal Supreme Court in January, allowing him to remain free during the trial process.
The case has drawn considerable attention, both for its high-profile defendant and the serious nature of the charges. A sentencing hearing for Lamichhane is scheduled to take place early in the next month, where the court will decide the consequences of his conviction. This hearing is eagerly awaited, as it will conclude a case that has been closely followed by the public and media alike.