Sandeep Lamichhane To Be Presented In Court On Sunday Seeking To Remand Him In Judicial Custody

Suspended for some time now, Nepal Cricket captain Sandeep Lamichhane has been involved in a major controversy. The cricketer, 22, has been accused of raping a minor. He was apprehended by Nepal Police at Tribhuvan International Airport on Thursday and will appear in Kathmandu District Court on Sunday.

On September 7, the District Court issued an arrest warrant for the 22-year-old cricketer based on a case filed by the Gaushala Police Circle after a 17-year-old girl accused the leg spinner of raping her on August 21.

According to Nepal Police, Lamichane will be presented in court to be remanded in judicial custody for further investigation. "Lamichhane will be presented to the Court by Gaushala Police Circle, seeking to remand him in judicial custody for further investigation," said Nepal Police spokesperson Tek Prasad Rai.

Before filing a criminal case against him, police must complete their investigation within 25 days of his arrest. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) suspended the national cricket captain following the arrest warrant.

Lamichhane was in Trinidad and Tobago to play for Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) when he was accused of rape. The CPL announced on September 8 that Lamichhane would no longer be eligible to play in the matches following the suspension by the cricket governing body.

The same day, Lamichhane posted on Facebook that he was innocent and would return to Nepal to seek justice. However, following his mysterious disappearance, Nepal Police issued a diffusion notice via the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

Lamichhane announced on October 1 that he would return to Nepal on October 6 to face legal charges. Immigration officials apprehended him shortly after landing at the airport. He was arrested and taken to the Gaushala Police Circle.

I will soon seek legal support: Sandeep Lamichhane

"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," Lamichhane wrote on Facebook shortly before being arrested.