Justice Belbase to conduct hearing on Sandeep Lamichhane’s case

KATHMANDU, Dec 27: Hearing on the rape case filed against cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane is scheduled to be conducted at Justice Hem Lam Belbase of the Kathmandu District Court.
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. 
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.