KATHMANDU: The Patan High Court has granted permission to cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane, who has been convicted of rape, to face the case without being remanded in custody.
Lamichhane challenged the decision of the Kathmandu District Court, which sentenced him to eight years in prison in a rape case, at the Patan High Court on Thursday.
“The High Court, in response to Lamichhane’s appeal, has allowed him to address the case without immediate incarceration,” stated Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, spokesperson for the Patan High Court.
Earlier, the Kathmandu District Court had convicted Sandeep, imposing an eight-year prison term along with a fine of 300,000 rupees and compensation of 200,000 rupees.
The district court’s conviction was based on allegations of coercion, suggesting that Sandeep took advantage of the victim’s financial vulnerability and exerted undue influence.
However, Sandeep’s petition to the High Court disputes the existence of substantial evidence supporting the claims of financial coercion mentioned in the verdict.
Sandeep contends that the district court’s assertion regarding financial transactions lacks credible evidence.
