A high court in Nepal has issued a bail release order for star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane in relation to a rape case.
“He has been ordered to be released in bail amounting to Rs 2 million. He will be released tomorrow. There are certain terms for his foreign travels,” Lamichhane’s advocate Saroj Ghimire told news agency ANI.
For the unversed, Lamichhane is currently in custody as the hearing of a rape charge on him is in progress. Sandeep Lamichhane bail order from the Nepal court is for his eviction from the jail which suggests that the 22-year-old will be part of the hearing but won't have to stay in jail for the duration of the case. Last year, the cricketer who has played in the IPL in the past, was sent to judicial custody by the Kathmandu District Court.
The same court had even issued a warrant against Lamichhane for the allegedly raping a minor. To ensure that the cricketer does not evade the laws of the country or escape punishment, if found guilty, he has even blacklisted by the country's immigration department.
The former Nepal captain's properties have also been frozen when the rape case was registered against him. In addition, the CCTV footage from the hotel where the incident took place was also presented at the court as evidence along with medical reports and statements against the cricketer.
Lamichhane was appointed Nepal captain last year
Only last year, the leg-spinner had been appointed as the captain of the team. He had even led the country at the U-19 National level, first tasting leadership experience at the U-19 Asia Cup 2016. He was also at the helm of affairs when Nepal participated at the Asian Cricket Council World Cup qualifier.
Despite it being a young cricket career, his numbers had begun to tell a story with him having scalped 69 wickets in 30 ODIs at an average of 15.57 and an economy of 4.02. In T20Is too, his numbers are equally impressive, having taken 85 wickets from 44 matches with an economy rate of 6.40 and an average of 12.56.