KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 27

The Supreme Court has allowed cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane, who stands accused of raping a minor, to go abroad conditionally.

Supreme Court Spokesperson Bimal Paudel told THT that Lamichhane should return to the country and appear before the court within 15 days.

'There has been an order allowing him to go abroad, but with the condition that he must return within 15 days and appear before the relevant court,' said Paudel.

A joint bench of Justices Sapna Pradhan Malla and Kumar Chudal also upheld the decision to release Lamichhane on bail.

Lamichhane had applied to the Supreme Court last Thursday to be allowed to play in the ICC World Cup League-2 series involving Nepal, UAE and Papua New Guinea, in the UAE. The ICC World Cup League-2 series started in UAE today.

The court heard both the petitions seeking permission for Lamichhane to go to the UAE and the petition filed by the attorney general's office demanding the annulment of the decision to release him on bail.

The petition filed by the Attorney General's Office on Friday in the Supreme Court challenged Patan court's order to release him with conditions.

Due to the court order, the Cricket Association of Nepal decided not to include Lamichhane's name in the national team for the UAE series.

Earlier, Lamichhane had taken 13 wickets in four matches in the ICC World Cup League-2 series held in Kathmandu last week.

Lamichhane had applied on Thursday to be allowed to participate in the series being held in the UAE.

Considering that he can play an important role in enhancing the Nepali squad's performance, there are reports that Cricket Association of Nepal also took the initiative to take him to the UAE.

Lamichhane, who was accused of raping a minor when he was captain of the national cricket team, was detained and investigated.

The Attorney General's Office on January 31 moved the Supreme Court challenging the decision of Patan High Court to release him on bail.

It demanded revocation of the high court's decision and further probe into the rape charge against him by keeping him in judicial custody.

Following the high court's verdict, Lamichhane was released from custody on January 13 after posting bail of Rs 2 million.

A bench of Justices Dhruvraj Nand and Ramesh Dhakal had ordered Lamichhane's release on bail, but barred him from travelling abroad pending the disposal of the case.

Lamichhane had approached the Supreme Court demanding removal of the restrictive clause.

Lamichhane was under orders not to go abroad, and also to inform the district police in writing if he had to leave Kathmandu valley, revealing the dates of his departure and return.

The District Attorney's Office, Kathmandu, had lodged a case against Lamichhane accusing him of raping a 17-year-old girl on 21 August 2022. He is charged under Section 219 of the Criminal Code 2017.

On September 6 last year, the minor had registered the first information report against the 22-year-old cricketer at the Metropolitan Police Circle Gaushala, Kathmandu. On October 1, Lamichhane announced he would return to Nepal on October 6 to face the charge.

Soon after he landed at the airport, he was arrested by officials of the Department of Immigration and police personnel. He had reached Jamaica to play in the Caribbean League when the complaint was registered in Nepal.

Lamichhane, who was out of touch after the allegations were made public, had returned to Nepal. The police had issued a notice against him through Interpol after he did not come to Nepal within the stipulated time.

After that, he wrote on Facebook that he was framed and would fight a legal battle. Lamichhane was appointed captain of Nepal cricket team in December 2021.

He was first bought in 2019 in the Caribbean Premier League player auction. He has played in leagues in India, the Caribbean, Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

A version of this article appears in the print on February 28, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.