The Patan High Court on Thursday ordered the release of suspended cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane, who is accused of raping a minor, on bail.

Responding to a review petition filed by Lamichhane, a joint bench of judges Dhruva Raj Nanda and Ramesh Dahal ordered Lamichhane's release on a bail bond of Rs2 million with conditions, according to Thagindra Kattel, Registrar at the Patan High Court.

Lamichhane’s lawyer Murari Sapkota said the high court has barred the cricketer from travelling abroad.

The Kathmandu District Court on November 4 had passed the order to send Lamichhane to the Sundhara-based central jail after a detention hearing. Lamichhane had moved the high court challenging the order.

The Kathmandu District Attorney’s Office has filed a case against Lamichhane accusing him of raping a 17-year-old girl on August 21. He has been charged under Section 219 of the Criminal Code 2074.

The minor had filed a case against the 22-year-old cricketer on September 6 at the Metropolitan Police Circle, Gaushala. 

On October 1, Lamichhane announced that he would return to Nepal on October 6 to face legal charges. Soon after he landed at the airport, he was arrested by officials at the Department of Immigration and police personnel in plainclothes.

Through the chargesheet, the district attorney had demanded compensation from Lamichhane for the victim’s alleged physical and mental torture. After the chargesheet was filed, Lamichhane’s bank account and property were frozen.

If the charge against him is proven, he will be imprisoned for 10 to 12 years per the existing legal provisions.