FIR registered against Shashank Singh and father for assaulting cook

An FIR has been registered against Punjab Kings all-rounder Shashank Singh on grounds of alleged assault and verbal abuse of a member of his household's cooking staff.

A case has been filed against the player and his father, Shailesh Singh, who is a retired Special Director General of Police, and their driver, Mishra, following allegations of assault, verbal abuse, and wrongful confinement.

As reported by the New Indian Express, the First Information Report (FIR) was filed at the Ratibad Police Station in Bhopal after a formal complaint was lodged by the 31-year-old cook, Vipendra Singh Tomar, who had recently moved to the city from his native of Rewa, a town in Madhya Pradesh, and was employed at the family's bungalow in Nilbad.

As per the police report, Tomar had been employed with the Chhattisgarh cricketer's family since June 25 and was promised a monthly salary of INR 15,000, with assurances of free food, accommodation, and assistance in securing a future government job. The complaint alleged that despite the guarantees, the environment had been hostile towards the cook, with arguments over the quality of food prepared.

Tomar expressed a desire to resign and return home due to the environment but reportedly had his mobile phone forcibly confiscated, which prevented him from contacting anyone. This prompted him to lock himself inside a room for his personal safety.

He further alleged that he was subjected to physical violence after the father, son and driver forced open the door of the room. He was also evicted from the premises of the bungalow. Local police also conducted a medical examination, which confirmed visible bruises and injury marks on his face and body.

The Ratibad Police have filed the FIR in accordance with the pertinent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), such as Section 296(B) for obscenity and verbal abuse, Section 115(2) for wilfully causing hurt, and Section 3(5) relating to joint criminal liability. Further investigations into this matter are also reportedly underway.