The Office of the Attorney General has decided not to appeal the rape case against cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane. According to spokesperson Suryaraj Dahal, the decision not to appeal to the Supreme Court was made as there was no dissatisfaction with the High Court's verdict.

“If the government is satisfied with the High Court's decision, it does not pursue an appeal,” said Dahal. “In Sandeep Lamichhane’s case, as we are satisfied with the decision, we will not be appealing.”

The Attorney General's Office made this decision on October 10, accepting the High Court's ruling. On May 2, Judges Sudarshan Dev Bhatt and Anju Upreti Dhakal of the High Court had acquitted Lamichhane, citing insufficient evidence, with the full judgment published on July 19.

The full verdict states that Lamichhane had denied the charges during the investigation and trial. Evidence, including messages from Gausala-26, the physical examination report, scene inspection, and circumstantial evidence, did not conclusively prove the charges.

The judgment further noted that the victim did not resist, scream, or seek help from a third party, and that consensual sexual relations between adults are not considered rape, as per the principles set by the Supreme Court.

It was also highlighted that the victim had requested financial support from the accused, and when Lamichhane did not provide help, the complaint might have been filed out of anger. This possibility could not be ruled out, according to the court.

The District Court had earlier sentenced Lamichhane to 8 years in prison for rape. However, the High Court Patan later acquitted him, and with the government’s decision not to appeal, the High Court's verdict will remain in effect.

Sandeep Lamichhane Gausala-26