Shahrukh Khan banned for 5 years; Luke Pomersbach arrested

All is not well with IPL – first the allegations of ‘match fixing’ and suspension of 5 little known players, then the spat of Khan at Wankhede.

There are now reports that the  Mumbai Cricket Association has  banned Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan from entering the Wankhede Stadium for five years for misbehaving with its officials and violating its rules.  The “unanimous” decision was taken at the MCA Managing Committee meeting called to discuss action on Khan who was involved in a skirmish with the security and officials of the association after KKR’s victory over Mumbai Indians on Wednesday night.  MCA president Vilasrao Deshmukh, who chaired the meeting, said that his association was sending out a message that misbehaviour of any kind would not be tolerated.  A message that action will not depend on the fame of the individual, but strong action against a wrong doing.  

Deshmukh said Khan had violated rules. “Had the incident happened in the stands it would’ve been a different matter. But you can’t get on the field and do all this. How can he go inside the ground without proper accreditation. Even I can’t go inside the ground if not invited for presentation ceremony,” Deshmukh said. Asked if BCCI can reverse this decision to ban Khan, Deshmukh said, “We have taken a decision to protect the dignity of our association. BCCI is our parent body and we have written to them informing what had happened. We have no control over BCCI’s decision. We are also an independent body with the Wankhede being our property.”  BCCI vice-president and IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla, however, said that a final decision will be taken by the BCCI.  Interestingly, while Shukla said the BCCI will have the final say on the ban, fellow BCCI colleague and CAO Ratnakar Shetty said that the actor’s behaviour was unprecedented and that the association is higher than any individual.  Shetty further added that  “Our officials showed tremendous restraint. In spite of being abused with the foulest language, they were very restrained. Otherwise it could’ve turned into a very ugly incident.”  Shetty is also quoted as saying  “The ACP Colaba division said Shah Rukh was smelling of alcohol. I don’t think a civilian needs to speak on this any further.”

On the same day is another news of another player (an Australian) at that  arrested for allegedly molesting a US national on Thursday night.  From the inaugural IPL, there are  Australian players in every team, though some of them have not played for their Nation and not in any big manner even for their States.  It is  Luke Pomersbach who was arrested under sections 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 454 (lurking house trespass) and 511 (punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment) of the Indian Penal Code.

According to police, the victim, who was staying at Hotel Maurya, was molested by Pomersbach when they were partying in her room. When her fiance Sahil Pirzada (32) intervened he too was boxed by Luke, said cops. A case was registered at the Chanakyapuri police station and both the victim and Sahil were rushed to Primus Hospital on Friday morning.  Officials at the hospital said that Sahil's condition is stable, but serious. "Sahil was brought to the hospital at 7.30am and admitted to casualty. He complained of bleeding from the left ear lobe and drowsiness. On examination, his vitals were found normal but a CT Scan was conducted to rule out head injury. He has been shifted to the ICU for observation but is stable and there is no danger to his life. There is impaired hearing on the affected ear," said Dr. DK Baluja, executive director of Primus Hospital.  Meanwhile, the US national has claimed that Pomersbach "tagged along" with them after a party and insisted on having drinks with her and her fiance, according to PTI.

Pomersbach made his international debut when he played for Australia's Twenty20 side in Perth in December 2007.  It is stated that  he has a history of misbehaviour under the influence of alcohol.   In 2009, after two hit-and-run incidents, Pomersbach was arrested and charged by police for driving with a blood alcohol level in excess of permissible limits, failing to stop and accompany police and escaping legal custody.

Pomersbach also played for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL in 2008-09 season and made 152 in five innings, only once being dismissed.  This year RCB has signed him and his  latest behaviour has prompted RCB owner Vijay Mallya to suspend the batsman, who has not played a single IPL match so far this season, till he is cleared of the charges.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.