Nepal

A group of youths held a demonstration in Kathmandu on Saturday to protest the inclusion of rape-accused cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane in the national cricket team.

In a peaceful rally initiated by feminist activists at Maitighar, around 50 participants chanted slogans against Lamichhane and CAN.

Protests have been simmering on social media platforms since January 12, when the Patan High Court released the cricketer charged with a serious criminal offence on bail. That spilt onto the streets after CAN, the country’s cricket ruling body, reinstated him in the national squad.

The demonstrators, mostly youths, were seen carrying placards with slogans such as “Boycott sexual abusers and enablers”, “A kick to the victim; defence of the alleged rapist”, “Rape accused can’t be in my national team”. 

CAN reinstated Lamichhane, who has been accused of raping a 17-year-old girl, into the national team on Thursday, stirring a public debate. The 22-year-old cricketer started the closed-session training with other players on Friday.

Nepal is playing host to Scotland and Namibia in the ICC World Cup League 2 triangular ODI series from February 14-21 at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

Earlier on Tuesday, a CAN board meeting in Pokhara lifted the suspension on Lamichhane. On the same day, the OAG filed moved the apex court challenging the High Court’s January 12 bail order. 

At a preliminary hearing on Friday, the Supreme Court sought all previous court documents of the Lamichhane case. 

All photos: NepalMinute