An appeal court in Nepal on Wednesday dropped rape charges against Sandeep Lamichhane, who was convicted and was held guilty by a lower court of raping an 18-year-old girl.
His lawyer was happy with the latest decision.
Lamichhane, 23, has been the biggest star in Nepal and has represented Delhi Capitals and Melbourne Stars in the Indian Premier League and Big Bash League.
He also played in the premier T20 leagues in Pakistan and the West Indies. The leg-spinner was suspended by the cricket association and arrested in 2022 before being released on bail.
Kathmandu district court sentenced him to eight years in prison in January and ordered him to pay $3,770 as a fine and compensation to the victim of the assault.
The High Court set him free. “He was not gulty, and the High Court gave the verdict in his favour,” Sabita Bhadari Baral, a lawyer for the player, told Reuters.
His supporters welcomed him when he came out of the court building.
