KATHMANDU, Nov 1: The hearing on the case of cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane, who was arrested on the charge of raping a minor girl, is to take place at the bench of Judge Madhav Prasad Ghimire.
Lamichhane's statement was recorded after the case reached Ghimire's bench on Tuesday. A case was registered on Monday demanding a sentence of up to 12 years in jail for raping a minor. The Kathmandu District Attorney Office registered the case against Lamichhane at the Kathmandu District Court based on the investigation and report of the police.
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After the detention hearing, the court will give an order on whether to keep him in custody for investigation or to keep him out of custody. At first, there is a court process where defendant Lamichhane will testify in the case. After the statement, there will be a debate whether to detain him or release him. According to the Kathmandu District Court Administration, when the debate will end will be determined based on the number of lawyers. After that, the victim girl will have to testify before the court.
Section 219 of the Criminal Code deals with the offense of coercion. The code states, "If someone rapes a woman without her consent or rapes a girl younger than 18 years of age even with her consent, he will be considered to have raped such a woman or girl." In its sub-section (d) it is provided that if the girl is older than 16 years of age and younger than 18 years, the perpetrator will be sent to jail for 10 to 12 years. A case has been registered against Lamichhane under this section.
On September 6, a 17-year-old girl lodged a complaint at Gaushala Police Station, accusing Lamichhane of raping her in a hotel room. Lamichhane surrendered to the police on October 6. He has been denying the allegations leveled against him.
