Rape case: Sandeep Lamichhane to be remand in custody for four more days

KATHMANDU, Oct 19: The Kathmandu District Court has granted a permission to remand cricketer Sandeep  Lamichhane in custody for four more days.

Justice Narayan Prasad Dahal granted the permission to the Nepal Police on Wednesday. The Gaushala Police Circle had sought seven days.

This is the third permission granted to Nepal Police. Earlier, the court had granted a permission to remand Lamichhane in custody for seven days which was later extended for 5 days.

Lamichhane was arrested from the Tribhuvan International Airport after a minor girl filed a rape complaint against Lamichhane while he was playing tournaments abroad. 

Lamichhane has been accused of raping the minor multiple times at 11:55 PM on August 21 at the airport-based Kathmandu Inn Hotel. 

Soon after the complaint, Lamichhane was suspended from his post and an arrest warrant was issued by the Kathmandu District Court. 

In Lamichhane’s case, the police can be provided 21 days to investigate the case. The police will now be recording statements of Lamichhane and will file a case against him if they find evidence against him. 

As per the section 219 (1) of the National Penal (Code) Act, 2017, where a man has sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent or with a girl child below eighteen years of age even with her consent, the man shall be considered to commit rape on such woman or girl child.

If found guilty, Lamichhane could be imprisoned for a term of ten to twelve years, the girl being above sixteen years of age but below eighteen years of age, as per the the section 219 (4) of the National Penal (Code) Act, 2017. Besides, the could can also slap a fine of Rs 500,000.