'I was portrayed as guilty overnight': Shashank Singh's explosive response to assault case

Punjab Kings batter Shashank Singh has publicly addressed the assault case registered against him and his father, alleging that the FIR filed against them was part of an extortion attempt aimed at damaging his reputation as a public figure.

The cricketer issued a detailed statement on social media weeks after he and his father, retired Special Director General (DG) of Police Shailesh Singh, were booked by Ratibad Police in Bhopal following allegations by a cook employed at their residence.

What are the allegations against Shashank Singh?

Last month, a domestic cook accused Shashank Singh and his father of assaulting him, verbally abusing him and forcibly taking away his mobile phone.

Based on the complaint, police registered an FIR against the father-son duo.

Shashank Singh claims FIR was used for extortion

In a lengthy statement, Shashank denied the allegations and claimed the complaint was part of a planned attempt to extort money from him.

"This incident changed me forever and taught me lessons I will carry for life," Shashank wrote.

"I believe the plan was to create pressure on me by filing a false FIR, expecting that I would pay money to protect my reputation as a public figure. In my view, the FIR was used as a tool of extortion rather than a genuine complaint."

The Punjab Kings batter said he was shocked by how quickly he was portrayed as guilty.

"Overnight, I was portrayed as someone who had beaten up a person less privileged than I am. Thousands abused me without knowing the truth," he added.

Shashank Singh makes claims about complainant's background

Shashank further alleged that the man employed at his residence had entered the house under false pretences and was later asked to leave after family members noticed suspicious behaviour.

According to the cricketer, police records later revealed the complainant had multiple criminal cases registered against him.

He claimed the individual had nine FIRs against him and had been charge-sheeted in eight cases involving offences including attempt to murder, house theft, assault, criminal intimidation, extortion, trespass and offences under the SC/ST Act.

Shashank also alleged that the man had been using multiple identities to conceal his background.

These allegations are claims made by Shashank Singh and have not been independently verified.

Questions over investigation

The 34-year-old also questioned how the FIR was registered without, according to him, hearing his family's version of events.

"What disturbed me even more was that, where genuine victims often struggle to get an FIR registered even for heinous crimes, one was registered against me and my family without hearing our side or questioning us," he said.

He also dismissed social media rumours linking him to another alleged incident on April 30, pointing out that he was playing in the IPL on that date.

Shashank Singh urges caution while hiring domestic staff

Concluding his statement, Shashank said the incident had taught his family valuable lessons and urged people to carry out proper police verification before hiring domestic help.

"Never let sympathy replace common sense. Always hire domestic help only through a registered agency after proper police verification," he wrote.

"The thought that a known criminal, unknown to us then, came so close to the safe confines of our home still sends a chill down my spine."

The case remains under investigation. While Shashank Singh has strongly denied the allegations and described the FIR as part of an extortion plot, the allegations made by the complainant have not been adjudicated in court. No judicial findings have yet determined the merits of either side's claims.