Nepalese cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane was taken into custody by police on his return to Kathmandu from Doha on Thursday in an alleged rape case, Reuters reported. As soon as he landed at Tribhuvan International Airport, Lamichhane, who also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL), was detained by the Nepal authorities.
Earlier, Lamichhane, in a Facebook post, said that he was returning home to fight the accusations. “I will fully cooperate in all stages of investigation and will fight legal battle to prove my innocence. Let the justice prevail,” Lamichhane posted.
“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,” he further said.
Lamichhane was taken into custody after a 17-year-old alleged that the cricketer had raped her in a Kathmandu hotel room in August.
Lamichhane was suspended as Nepal’s cricket captain after a court issued an arrest warrant against him on September 8.
The warrant was issued by a Nepalese court when Lamichhane was in the West Indies taking part in the Caribbean Premier League. Back then, he had said he would leave the CPL and return to home to face the “baseless allegations”.
In T20 Internationals, Lamichhane has taken 78 wickets in 40 matches for Nepal at a wholesome economy of 6.26. He is especially known for his economical bowling in the T20I format. He has also played in the Indian Premier League for the Delhi team.
(With inputs from agencies)