Sandeep Lamichhane to return to Nepal to face rape charges

Nepalese cricketer and former cricket captain Sandeep Lamichhane is on his way to his home country and will land in Kathmandu on the 6th of October to face rape charges levied against him by a minor. The 25-year-old suspended cricketer announced his arrival in the country via a post from his official Facebook account, staying true to his words.

The Kathmandu District court had issued an arrest warrant against the cricketer after allegations by a 17-year-old girl came to light. Lamichhane will be apprehended by the Immigration department, who had blacklisted him, upon his arrival. The Nepalese cricketer announced his arrival to the fans via a social media post on Facebook, maintaining his innocence in the case.

“As per my sincere commitment to submit myself to the authority of Nepal, I am landing at 10:00 am from Qatar Airways in the Tribhuvan International Airport at Kathmandu. I am sure I will get justice and will return to the cricket ground soon to make the name and fame of my beloved country and I pray for a speedy trial. I will fully cooperate in all stages of the investigation and will fight a legal battle to prove my innocence. Let the justice prevail,” Sandeep's Facebook post early Thursday morning.

Sandeep Lamichhane had shared his plans via Facebook earlier this month

Earlier, Sandeep Lamichhane was declared a fugitive at large by a  diffusion notice issued by INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization) at the request of Nepal Police in the aftermath of the rape allegations. 

On the 1st of this month, the Nepalese revealed his plans of returning to the country and surrendering to the authorities via a Facebook post. He revealed his commitment to fighting a legal battle after arriving in the country on the 6th of October.

"With great hope and strength, I hereby confirm that I am reaching to my home country Nepal on this 6th October 2022 and will submit myself to the authority of Nepal to fight a legal battle against false allegation," Lamichhane had written on his verified Facebook page.