Domestic help claims he was beaten, confined against his will and forced to pay for food before being allowed to leave; police register case in Bhopal
Punjab Kings batter Shashank Singh and his father, retired IPS officer Shailesh Singh, have been booked after a cook accused them and other family members of assaulting, verbally abusing and illegally confining him at their residence in Bhopal.
The FIR was registered at Ratibad Police Station based on a complaint filed by 31-year-old Vipendra Singh Tomar, who had recently joined the Singh household as a cook.
Along with Shashank Singh and his father, the family's driver has also been named in the case. The matter is currently under police investigation.
Cook alleges assault after trying to quit
According to the complaint, Tomar was promised a monthly salary of ₹15,000 along with food, accommodation and assistance in securing a government job.
However, he claims he decided to leave on the very first day after witnessing what he described as an abusive work environment and being asked to perform excessive work.
Tomar alleged that when he informed the family of his decision, his mobile phone was confiscated and he was prevented from leaving.
Speaking to ANI, he claimed Shailesh Singh questioned his intentions for coming to the house and allegedly threatened him, saying he would have to work for at least a month.
'Shashank Singh beat me up like a dog,' alleges complainant
The complainant further alleged that after working for two days in the hope of getting his phone back, he locked himself inside a room and demanded its return.
According to Tomar, the family's driver attempted to break down the door before Shashank Singh arrived.
Tomar claimed he opened the door believing the cricketer would help him leave safely.
Instead, he alleged that he was assaulted.
"As soon as I opened the door, both of them-the driver and Shashank-beat me up like a dog. Shashank's father and sister also joined them and only stopped when they thought I would die," Tomar told ANI.
He also alleged that he was kicked, beaten with sticks, shoes and hands by multiple members of the family.
Medical examination confirms injuries
According to reports, a medical examination conducted after the complaint found visible injuries on Tomar's face and body.
The complainant further alleged that before being allowed to leave, he was asked to pay for the food he had consumed during his three-day stay.
He claimed his brother-in-law transferred ₹1,000, which he handed over to the family before being released.
Tomar also alleged he was forced to write a statement before being allowed to leave the residence and that he was not paid any wages for the work he performed.
Police register FIR under BNS
Based on the complaint, Ratibad Police have registered an FIR under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 296(B) - Obscene acts and verbal abuse
- Section 115(2) - Voluntarily causing hurt
- Section 3(5) - Joint criminal liability for acts committed with common intention
At the time of writing, neither Shashank Singh nor his family has publicly responded to the allegations.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations have not been tested in court.
