Vadodara: Former India cricketer and Vadodara resident Jacob Martin has been acquitted of all charges in a 22-year-old criminal case arising from an FIR registered in 2004.
The Patiala House Court acquitted Martin of charges under Sections 420, 468, 471 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code and Section 12 of the Passport Act.
The case was related to allegations involving a fake UK immigration stamp, travel arrangements and financial transactions. The court observed that the prosecution failed to establish the allegations against Martin and found no reliable evidence linking him to the financial transactions or proving his ownership or control of Ajwa Sports Club.
The court also noted that several witnesses failed to substantiate the allegations. As a result, Martin was acquitted of all charges.
Speaking to the media after the verdict, Martin said the case originated in 2004 after one of his teammates stayed in the UK beyond the validity of his visa and allegedly obtained a fake immigration stamp before returning to India.
Martin said his name was not mentioned in the original FIR but was later included during the investigation because of his profile as an international cricketer.
The right-handed batter represented India in 10 One-Day Internationals and scored 158 runs at an average of 22.57.