Kathmandu, May 16 -- The Patan High Court on Wednesday acquitted cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane of rape.

Overturning the verdict of the Kathmandu District Court, a division of bench of judges Surya Darshan Dev Bhatta and Anju Uprety Dhakal gave a clean chit to Lamichhane, who was on suspension from the national cricket team. The high court cited lack of evidence while overturning the decision of its subordinate court.

"The verdict from the district court has been fully overturned," said Tirtharaj Bhattarai, spokesperson at the High Court. "The defendant Sandeep Lamichhane has been acquitted."

A single bench of district judge Shishir Raj Dhakal on December 29, 2023 had convicted Lamichhane of rape, but the penalty was determined later, on...