Punjab Kings batsman Shashank Singh has hit back at Cook who has accused him of assault. He described Cook as a habitual criminal and accused him of an extortion conspiracy. Singh said that 9 FIRs including attempt to murder and robbery are registered against Cook.
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [भारत]July 12 (ANI): Punjab Kings (PBKS) batsman Shashank Singh on Sunday alleged that cook Vipendra Singh Tomar, who accused him of physical assault, is a habitual offender with multiple criminal cases registered against him. He also claimed that the incident was part of a pre-planned extortion conspiracy. Singh said the employee, who was hired directly instead of through a registered agency, had nine FIRs registered against him since 2018, including cases of attempt to murder, robbery and house trespass, and he had been convicted in four of them.
Singh told ANI, “The FIR was lodged on June 29, and the background verification of the employee was done through the gram panchayat and the local police. Although he had come to work for only a month and it was just his third day, it was revealed that there were nine FIRs registered against him since 2018. The charges included attempt to murder, robbery and house trespass, and he had already been convicted in four cases.”
Shashank Singh’s claim- conspiracy hatched for extortion
Singh alleged that he later received calls demanding Rs 7-7.5 lakh to withdraw the complaint, which he refused. He also said that he lodged a complaint with the police on the theft of two silver Ganesha idols and other valuables, collected CCTV footage and other evidence, but claimed that there has been no significant progress in the investigation.
Singh said, “Then it became clear that this was a pre-planned act. I came to know that he was a habitual criminal who had come here with the intention of extorting money, assuming that I was a public figure, he could easily compromise. A few days later, I also received calls demanding Rs 7-7.5 lakh in exchange for withdrawal of the FIR. I refused, as I would not pay for work that I had not done. My mistake was not due to any registered agency. Instead someone had to be hired directly.”
He further added, “The situation could have been even more dangerous, especially since my elderly parents are often alone at home. Fortunately, I was at home, and nothing serious happened. I lodged a police complaint on July 1. We also reported the theft of two silver Ganesha idols and other valuables, and collected CCTV footage and other evidence. However, there has been no progress in the investigation, nor have any further inquiries been made.”
Cook had accused of assault and hostage taking
Last month, home cook Tomar had accused Singh, his father Shailesh Singh and his driver of assault and said she was beaten, threatened and prevented from leaving the family residence after she refused to continue working. Bhopal’s Ratibad police had filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Shashank Singh, his father Shailesh Singh and the family’s driver following Tomar’s complaint of assault, abuse and wrongful confinement.
According to the FIR, Tomar, a 31-year-old resident of Rewa district, was brought to Bhopal through an acquaintance and was promised a monthly salary of Rs 15,000, food, accommodation and assistance in getting a government job. The complainant alleged that soon after he started work at the family residence in Mendori village, he faced abuses over the quality of the food prepared by him. When she expressed her desire to leave the job, her mobile phone was reportedly taken away so that she could not contact anyone, and she was pressurized to continue working.
The FIR further states that when she locked herself in a room for safety, the accused allegedly entered the room and assaulted her. A medical examination reportedly found visible injuries on the complainant. Police registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Judicial Code, including sections 296(B), 115(2) and 3(5). (ANI)
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