Sandeep Lamichhane to visit Lord Pashupati Temple

By Bipin Dani

Nepal's 22-year-old bowler Sandeep Lamichhane returned home on Friday from the Central Jail and will visit the Lord Pashupati Temple on Saturday.

This was revealed by his father Chander Narayan Lamichhane.

The national cricketer who was charged with raping a minor has been granted bail by the High Court Patan in Kathmandu for a surety of Nepali rupees 20 lakhs.

Senior Lamichhane said, "the bail was granted at around 6.00 pm on Thursday and there was no time for us to rush to the jail the same day. We went to jail this morning and brought Sandeep home.”

The car, which went to receive Sandeep home, had his father, mother and brother (Mohan).

Mohan has been working in India but has been with his parents since the day the brother was arrested.

"Sandeep spent more than three months in jail. He was obviously very frustrated but now we are relieved to some extent. On Saturday morning, we will take him to Pashupatinath Temple".

Lord Pashupati is a Hindu deity and an incarnation of the Hindu god Shiva as "lord of the animals".

Pashupati is mainly worshipped in Nepal and India. Pashupati is also the national deity of Nepal.

Sandeep had been taken into custody on October 6 by police in Kathmandu in response to the arrest warrant that had been issued in his name over an alleged case of coercion and rape.

It is learnt that the girl’s claim of being a minor is being challenged.

"Sandeep has been barred from speaking to the media. We are hoping his case is heard within two to three months and is freed,” the father further added.

Sandeep has been suspended by the CAN and his suspension will not be revoked till he is proven innocent.