Cricket

The board of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) is meeting in Pokhara later this afternoon.

The reinstatement of rape-accused cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane into the national team is said to be a primary agenda of the first board meeting in four months.

Other topics on the 16-point agenda include the controversy surrounding the Nepal T20 League, the appointment of the national team head coach, team captain and vice-captain, ICC World Cup League 2 triangular ODI series, ACC Premier Cup. 

The CAN executive body, which suspended Lamichhane on September 8, has been hastening to lift the ban and draft him into the national team on the prodding of his legal consul’s demand. 

The Patan High Court on January 12 ordered his release on Rs2 million bond. Yet, the 22-year-old cricketer stands accused of rape, as neither court has acquitted him of the charge.

Besides, the Attorney General's Office has hinted that it would appeal to the Supreme Court to vacate the High Court order. 

Lamichhane came out of prison on January 13, two months after the Kathmandu District Court remanded him to judicial custody for an investigation into rape charges against him.

On September 6, a 17-year-old girl filed a complaint at the Gaushala Police Circle, accusing Lamichhane of raping her on the night of August 21.

While setting him free on bail, the High Court issued a restraining order against Lamichhane. The court has prohibited him from leaving the country, publishing any information about the plaintiff or the case, and making any comments on social media or public media.

Besides, Lamichhane is barred from contacting the victim and her family. "A restraining order has been issued prohibiting the defendant from contacting the victim and her family by means of threat, fear, terror, or pressure, influence, or intimidation," the High Court ruling states.

He will have to inform the District Police Office about travel details in writing before leaving the valley. The court has instructed the police administration to monitor his activities.

Disgruntled members

Meanwhile, seven central committee members are preparing to demand the resignation of the CAN leadership.

Rishiram Gautam, Said Ansari, Sanjaya Raj Singh, Karan Mahatara Chhetri, Chhumbi Lama, Dharmaraj Giri and Amit Bir Pandey have been demanding regisnation of five executive members, including CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand over controversy surrounding the Nepal T20 League.

“The CAN top brass should step down and clear the deck for a fresh start,” said Rishi Ram Gautam, a central committee member of the game’s ruling body in the country. “The leadership has accepted its mistake and should resign and move on. CAN should not be held to ransom at the whim of certain people.”