The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has lifted the suspension of rape-accused cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane.

CAN board member Birendra Bahadur Chand informed that an executive committee meeting of the cricket governing body held in Pokhara on Tuesday decided to lift the ban on Lamichhane.

Lamichhane has been accused of raping a 17-year-old girl on August 21. He has been charged under Section 219 of the Criminal Code 2074. If the charge against him is proven, he will be imprisoned for 10 to 12 years as per the existing legal provisions.

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

Acting on the case filed by the Gaushala Police Circle after the girl accused Lamichhane of rape, the Kathmandu District Court, on September 7, had issued an arrest warrant against the cricketer.

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 plainclothes personnel.

On November 4, the Kathmandu District Court passed an order to send Lamichhane to the Sundhara-based central jail after a detention hearing.

Lamichhane then moved the high court to challenge the order.

On January 12, the Patan High Court ordered the release of the suspended cricketer on Rs 2 million bail with conditions.

The Attorney General’s Office on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of Patan High Court to release Lamichhane on bail.

However, the CAN executive committee meeting in Pokhara decided to lift the suspension on Lamichhane. CAN has not officially made public its decision about lifting the suspension.

The decision of the cricket governing body meant CAN paved the way for the 22-year-old to play at the national and international tournaments. He was suspended by CAN on September 8. It is, however, not clear whether he will be called in the national team camp of Nepal Tri-Series for ICC World League 2 involving Namibia and Scotland.

The decision to lift Lamichhane’s suspension comes at a time when several members of the CAN board have been demanding the resignation of CAN president Chatur Bahadur Chand, Treasurer Roshan Singh and Acting Secretary Prashant Malla among others following a spot-fixing scandal during the Nepal T20 League.

Seven board members led by Rishiram Gautam have been demanding the resignation top board officials. The disgruntled group also skipped the board meeting held in Pokhara on Tuesday.