The ‘break’ in Sandeep Lamichhane’s journey

KATHMANDU: Sandeep Lamichhane was born in Syangja, a hilly area of Nepal. His father worked for the Indian Railway Service.

He grew up in India, where he learned the basics of cricket. Later, I returned to Nepal to further my education.

He resided at his aunt’s home at Rajhar, Nawalparasi, West Nepal. He also began studying cricket there.

He used to exercise every day at the Chitwan Cricket Academy, which was 18 kilometers from his hometown.

On the first day, his instructor Raju Khadka noticed something about him that set him apart from the rest.

Coach Raju attempted to include him on the 19-year-old national squad, but he was not chosen.

Pubudu Dassanayake, a Canadian coach of Sri Lankan ancestry, was seeking for new players in Nepal at the time.

Coach Pubudu, who reached Chitwan Academy during the talent quest, was immediately pleased with Sandeep and invited him to the national team camp. From then, his road to the national team started.

That match cemented Lamichhane’s place in history. He became Nepal’s first IPL player, the 13th from the country, and the third youngest.

For the first time in the IPL, he faced captain Kohli and AB de Villiers, both well-known players throughout the world. At the time, the players publicly appreciated his bowling style.

Then he should not look back.

He then worked as a singer, composer, and actor in music videos such as ‘Memory’, ‘Udas Cha Yo Mero Man’, and ‘Vetu Kasari’.

During this time, he also offered financial assistance to flood victims, COVID-19, and the development of a cricket stadium.

Sandeep Lamichhane was charged with raping a girl on Kartik 14, 2079 (31 Oct, 2022).

The Kathmandu District Court declared cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane guilty of rape on Poush 13, 2080 (29 Dec, 2023), after multiple adjournments in the case before him.

The court condemned him to eight years in jail and a fine of three lakh rupees. Although the victim is 18 years old, the Kathmandu District Court ruled him guilty on Poush 13 (Fec 29), claiming that the act was not voluntary.

In its decision, the court noted that “the victim’s poor financial condition was taken advantage of”.

Only a few days ago, the Cricket Association Nepal (CAN) suspended Sandeep Lamichhane from all cricket activities. On the same day that the district court in Kathmandu handed down the sentence, he said that he would not play for the national team until he was exonerated.

Then he wrote to Khand, explaining that he had no option but to accept the court’s decision, but that he would continue to pursue justice until his death.

He is currently prepared to go to the High Court. Despite being found guilty by the court, Sandeep has millions of followers on his side. The rapes we witnessed and heard were not like Sandeep and Paul’s. That is why many individuals are supportive.

Commenting on the post written about Sandeep, a Facebook user Vivek Khadka said that the argument can be made in any way but as said by leader Chandra Bhandari, it is necessary to define rape.

Another user writes, ‘Our fight is not with Sandeep and the alleged rape girl, but with the law.’

Many people on social media welcomed the Kathmandu District Court’s ruling against Sandeep, while few opposed it. It is inevitable for this to happen after becoming a nation’s treasure. Even Tiktok users were among his ‘die-hard supporters’.

His promising cricket career is now jeopardised. However, those who are culpable, regardless of who they are, must be punished, including the country’s gems, the wealthy, politicians, and high-ranking citizens. The innocent must not be punished.

-Tenzing Dolma Tamang/MK