‘We didn’t hold him hostage’: Shashank Singh breaks silence after FIR against him, father

Shashank Singh (BCCI photo) NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings cricketer Shashank Singh has broken his silence after an FIR was registered against him, his father Shailesh Singh and their driver following the home cook’s allegations of assault, verbal abuse and forcible taking of his mobile phone.According to an IANS report, the Ratibad police in Bhopal have registered a case under sections 296(B), 115(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have launched an investigation into the allegations. The complainant, Vipendra Singh Tomar, a resident of Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa district, told the police that on June 25, he joined the job as a cook at the Singh family’s bungalow in Neelbad. He claimed that he was promised a monthly salary of Rs 15,000 along with food and accommodation.Responding to the allegations, Shashank denied that he or his family assaulted or held the complainant against his will.“No, we did not hold him hostage,” Shashank told ANI.“It’s true that he came claiming to be a cook, but he wasn’t at all. He couldn’t cook; he was just there to have fun, take videos and photos, and even come to my room. Since he did things like that, I suspect he came with the intention of stealing. We’re very lucky that nothing was stolen from what we’ve verified so far.”The Punjab Kings also explained why the complainant’s phone was taken away.“It’s true that his phone had videos and photos of the house, so my mother had it deleted because they were very private.Shashank further claimed that the police had not yet contacted him and said that they were considering calling the police themselves.“The police haven’t contacted us yet. When we caught him taking pictures and video, my sister suggested dialing 100. But he begged and I let him.”Shashank denied the allegations of assault and abuse, saying:“It’s possible that someone would make such accusations against me. I believe anyone who knows me knows that a physical altercation is out of the question for me. I hesitate to use abusive language, so I certainly wouldn’t be able to do something like that. I don’t think I need to justify this in any way.”According to the FIR, Tomar claimed that he agreed to work at the residence after being assured of salary, food and accommodation.“I agreed to work there and stayed in the residence after being assured of salary, food and accommodation,” Tomar said in his complaint.Tomar claimed that he was later told that his work was flawed and that his mobile phone was confiscated.According to the complaint, the matter escalated on June 28, when he asked for his phone back.“After preparing breakfast, I asked Shailesh Singh to return my mobile phone but he refused. Distraught over this, I went to my room,” claimed Tomar.He further alleged that Shailesh Singh, Shashank Singh and their driver entered his room and assaulted him.“They abused me and started attacking me with their hands and fists. After beating me, they chased me out of the house,” Tomar said in his statement to the police.The complainant also claimed that Rs 1,000 was transferred from his mobile phone, while the accused claimed that this amount was deducted for food and lodging expenses.The matter is currently under police investigation.