New Delhi:
Praveen Kumar, the former India cricket team pacer, has been in the news recently for allegations of assault in Meerut. On Sunday, a factory owner alleged that Praveen assaulted him at Multan Nagar around 3 pm on Saturday. Deepak Sharma, a factory owner, was bringing down his six-year-old son from a school bus. Deepak told police that the former cricketer was in his car when he was bringing down his son from the bus due to which the road was blocked, resulting in an argument between them.
Transport Nagar police station incharge Dinesh Chandra said a case has not been registered against the cricketer as investigation into the complaint was on. Reacting on the allegations, Praveen said it was a lie and case of local politics trying to tarnish his image. "
It is all a lie. In fact, he tried to snatch my chain. It is a case of local politics and nothing else. I don't even live in that area. I have two-three houses there and I had gone to see the status of paint work there. Some people here can't see others' success...it is another attempt to tarnish my image. For someone like him it is an easy way to get some cheap publicity, defame a cricketer with fake stories and be in the news. I too have filed a complaint against him. I am happy with my life. I did commentary recently in the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy and will be doing again in Ranji Trophy," Praveen said.
This isn't the first time that Praveen finds himself embroiled in a controversy involving assault. In 2008, Praveen was accused of assaulting a doctor in Meerut. The alleged victim had claimed that Praveen and his friends manhandled him after a minor argument.
In 2013, Praveen was reported for his offensive behaviour and violating the code of conduct by the umpires during a Corporate Trophy match between ONGC and Income Tax on February 4. In his report to the board, match referee Dhananjay Singh made the shocking remark of being 'mentally unstable' as he charged the bowler with level-2 and level-4 offences which suggest that he was reported for misbehaving with the umpires.
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Praveen, who played all three formats for India between 2007 and 2012, quit the game at the age of 32. He played 84 international games for India after making his debut in a one-day international against Pakistan in November 2007. Overall, he picked up 112 wickets, including 27 in six Tests.
