The US Embassy has denied visa application to cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane yet again.
Saroj Krishna Ghimire, a personal advocate for cricketer Lamichhane, confirmed that Lamichhane was denied his visa application by the US Embassy. Accoring to Ghimire, the US Embassy denied him visa on the ground that he is unlikely to return to Nepal.
The US Embassy in Kathmandu had called cricketer Lamichhane for an interview at 4 pm today following the request by the Foreign Ministry.
After Patan High Court acquitted Lamichhane from the rape charges, the Nepal Cricket Association (CAN) had started the process of including Sandeep in the Nepali cricket team to participate in the T20 World Cup.
However, Lamichhane was not able to immediately join the team after the US Embassy refused to grant him a visa on May 22. On Wednesday (yesterday), his supporters staged demonstrations at Maitighar, demanding that Lamichhane be given a visa.
The T20 Cricket World Cup is being held in America and the West Indies from June 1. A 15-member team under the captaincy of Rohit Paudel has already reached America. The Nepali team is currently playing practice matches in both the countries.
Along with captain Paudel, the cricket team includes Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Anil Kumar Shah, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Pratis GC, Sundeep Jora, Abinash Bohara, Sagar Dhakal and Kamal Singh Airee.
After the ICC approved the inclusion of Sandeep in the team, the CAN had started the process of sending Lamichhane to the US.
