Sandeep Lamichhane, the fugitive Nepalese cricketer, was arrested at Kathmandu airport on charges of rape and coercion, on Wednesday. The arrest warrant was issued a month ago, but Lamichhane wasn’t in the country. He was taken into custody as soon as he entered the country. 

Lamichhane published the detail of his arrival on Facebook, adding that he “will fully cooperate in all stages of the investigation and will fight a legal battle to prove my innocence.” 

“I have already informed the Police Authority in writing about my submission at will. I have also made humble request to the authority for the presence of my lawful attorney Saroj Krishna Ghimire ( Advocate) during the process of my submission to police authority to ensure my safety and security,” he added. 

Lamichhane is the biggest name in Nepalese cricket, and he was appointed as the captain of the men’s senior team last year. But, he was sacked as a skipper following the rape charges against him. 

The Nepal Police also sought help from Interpol when they weren’t able to trace Lamichhane in the country. The 22-year-old was in Jamaica for the CPL 2022, but withdrew his name from the tournament after the charges against him surfaced.  

He has always denied the charge. “I know I am facing a difficult time of conspiracy and wrongful allegation and the ramification of its effect is something unimaginable. I am sure there must be some mechanism of compensating to the accused who proven to be innocent in our legal system,” wrote the leg-spinner. 

Lamichhane has been the poster boy of the cricket revolution in Nepal, plying his trade for prominent T20 franchises across the world. He is also the first and only cricketer to play in the Indian Premier League. Delhi Capitals acquired him in 2018.  

His last international appearance came in August this year, in the T20I series against Kenya. He is among the best spinners in associate cricket, racing away to 50 wickets in both T20Is and ODIs in record time. 

Lead Image: Sandeep Lamichhane/Twitter