In a major reversal, the Patan High Court on Wednesday overturned the previous verdict against celebrated Nepali cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane and acquitted him of the charges. A joint bench of Justices Sudarshandev Bhatt and Anju Upreti Dhakal overturned the decision of the Kathmandu District Court, which had earlier found Lamichhane guilty.
Following the Patan High Court's decision dated 2nd Jestha 2081 to acquit Lamichhane, declaring him innocent in the rape case, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has revoked its ban on the star player. CAN has cleared Lamichhane to resume participating in all domestic and international cricket activities.
The acquittal and lifting of the ban open up the possibility for Lamichhane's return to cricket after he was suspended by CAN following the district court's guilty verdict last year. CAN had banned the 22-year-old leg spinner from all forms of cricket in the wake of that verdict.
Lamichhane, who has played for the Nepali national team as well as in various professional T20 leagues around the world, had vehemently proclaimed his innocence throughout the legal process. His lawyers successfully appealed to the high court to clear his name.
With this landmark ruling from the Patan High Court judges, the path has been cleared for the young cricket star to potentially represent Nepal in upcoming major tournaments like the World Cup.
