Court grants permission to remand Lamichhane in custody for seven days

KATHMANDU, Oct 10: The Kathmandu District Court had granted a permission to remand Sandeep Lamichhane in custody for seven the further investigation which will be effective from October 6.  The police had presented rape accused Lamichhane before court on Monday morning. Earlier, a minor girl filed a rape complaint against Lamichhane while he was playing tournaments abroad.  Lamichhane has been accused of raping the minor multiple times at 11:55 PM on August 21 at the airport-based Kathmandu Inn Hotel.  Soon after the complaint, Lamichhane was suspended from his post and an arrest warrant was issued by the Kathmandu District Court.  In Lamichhane’s case, the police can be provided 21 days to investigate the case. The police will now be recording statements of Lamichhane and will file a case against him if they find evidence against him.  As per the section 219 (1) of the National Penal (Code) Act, 2017, where a man has sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent or with a girl child below eighteen years of age even with her consent, the man shall be considered to commit rape on such woman or girl child. If found guilty, Lamichhane could be imprisoned for a term of ten to twelve years, the girl being above sixteen years of age but below eighteen years of age, as per the the section 219 (4) of the National Penal (Code) Act, 2017. Besides, the could can also slap a fine of Rs 500,000.