MCA slapped a five-year ban on Shah Rukh, co-owner of Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), from entering the stadium for allegedly misbehaving with security personnel and MCA officials at the stadium Wednesday night. In his clarification, the superstar alleged that he got upset when he saw MCA officials allegedly manhandling his daughter.

“I don’t know what has happened in detail. But from whatever I know, I feel it’s more of an over reaction. I don’t know exactly what happened, so I can’t judge. But there is no need to react like this. I have no right to take sides, but I feel that the punishment is a little harsh,” he told reporters here Saturday when asked about his viwes on the issue.

Akhtar was speaking at the launch of the Marathi version of his book “Tarkash”.

Siddharth Mallya, accused her of talking nonsense and went on to say “she was all over me last [late on Thursday night] and asked for my bbm [blackberry messenger] pin.”

Later Mr. Siddharth Mallya defended his tweet but said that he was not questioning her character but merely stating a fact. “I don’t take any comments back. The tweet was in response to what she has said and I don’t think there is anything wrong in that,” he told ‘NDTV.’

“I maintain that if Luke is in the wrong he would face the necessary sanctions. I don’t think it is derogatory because I heard that the lady is speaking about beating up of her fiance. The guy was not exactly her fiance.”

“Luke is my player and RCB is like one family. So I would, of course, try and protect my player. But I maintain that I haven’t spoken to him yet,” he said. “What this girl is doing is idiotic,” Mr. Siddharth Mallya wrote on his twitter page.

After this controversial Tweete, Zohail Hameed has sought Mallya’s unconditional apology, her advocate Jitender Garg said.

Garg told IANS: “A legal notice is issued to Sidhartha Mallya for his twitter comment. We will wait for his reply. And if he refuses to apologise, we will file a defamation case against him.”

Defending his son’s remarks, RCB owner Vijay Mallya said he was not a child and tweeted his impressions about the “lady’s conduct.”

“Twitter is a global forum and he has been tweeting for a while and he has his set of followers,” Mallya senior told NDTV when asked whether his son’s tweets were appropriate.

Asked whether he had a chance to speak to Mr. Pomersbach, Mr. Mallya senior said, “No I haven’t. This could have been probably one of the late night brawls. But we at RCB have always said that law should take its own course.”

Meanwhile, women leaders and activists on Friday criticised Mr. Siddharth Mallya for his comments casting aspersions on the character of the American woman.

Reacting to his tweets, activist Ranjana Kumari said nobody had a right to sexually assault her.

“This kind of juvenile irresponsible behaviour will not be acceptable in the country, whosoever the person may be. He must apologise to the women of the country,” she said.

Whatever her profession or character or her background, Ms. Kumari said nobody was supposed to ask such questions. “What he is doing by tweeting and behaving the way he is behaving, it is insulting women.

“By insulting women, he becomes an accomplice of a criminal because sexual assault is a criminal act. If some player who belongs to his team or his father’s team has done it, he is trying to protect the player; by doing that he should also be arrested,” she said.

She said Mr. Siddharth Mallya was equally guilty of the charge because he was the accomplice of a criminal who had sexually assaulted another woman.

Congress spokesperson Renuka Choudhury said: “The easiest thing you can do is to denigrate a woman. He is a young man. I will give him good advice as a mother that you have to learn to respect women whatever the character is.”

(With inputs from IANS)

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner even faced a lifetime ban from entering the Wankhede Stadium after allegedly turning up there drunk at the ground and misbehaving with security guards and cricket officials Wednesday night.

The incident took place after his team beat Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League match at the stadium. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) filed a complaint with Mumbai’s Marine Drive police station.

Below is  an Audio Recording of the whole spat published by Indian Express. You can read the transcript of converstion below.

Transcript:

SRK: …Beep… Do you want to arrest me? Arrest me and take me now.

Other side: Use your language properly.

SRK: You use your language properly.

Other side: Ok?

SRK: You use your language properly.

Noise. Someone shouts SRK’s name, tries to pacify him.

Someone shouts: Le ke chal isse (Let’s take him away).

Someone says: Police ko bulao (Call the police)

SRK: Kaun tha woh jo dubara… hai ***** ka **** (Who was that…?).

Someone shouts: Everybody out, everybody out.

Other side: Inko baat karne ki tameej nahi hai (He doesn’t have the manners to talk properly).

Noise.

SRK: Who’s saying to take me away, I stay here.

Noise

Someone whispers to SRK.

SRK: Which officer?

Noise

SRK: Tell your official, wherever he’s from… BCCI to tell him to shut the **** up, don’t talk to me like that… wherever you are from, sir. Tell the ****** not to talk to me like that… see it is his fault… nobody will speak (shouting).

Noise.

Someone says: Nobody will speak. C’mon take it easy.

SRK: Kya bole aap? Haath lagayenge aap? (What did you say, You will beat me?).

Noise.

Someone: Laga ke batayun? (Shall I beat you up first?).

Someone: Jyada baat mat kar ae (Don’t talk too much).

Noise.

SRK: Arre tu beech main se hath naa. Door se ghar mein bolna, paas aake bol. (You, get out of here. Talk from afar at home. Come near me and say what you have to).

Someone: Ae bewada (You drunkard).

SRK: …tu peeche se mat bolna… samne se aake bol ae peeli shirt ****… yahin gaad doonga **** (Don’t talk to me from behind. Come in front of me, you yellow shirt. I will bury you here).

Noise.

In a case of his word against theirs, Shah Rukh denied that he was drunk or that his behaviour was incorrect.

‘I don’t think that my behaviour was incorrect or I did something illegal. I think what I did was correct. They are my kids and I have a responsibility towards them. I will not apologise. They (officials) should apologise to me,’ Shah Rukh told reporters outside his residence.

Recounting his version, the 46-year-old said: ‘I had gone to pick up my children who were there to watch the match. I went there, congratulated my team and when I came back, I saw that there a gentleman was manhandling the children. They were pushing little girls. I just told him that this is not the way to behave.

‘He (the official) spoke something in Marathi, something which I can’t even repeat… I said he should not speak to me like this. It is extremely disturbing to see the way they manhandled children… I won’t deny that I could have said something in a fit of anger,’ he added.

He said he was not drunk.

‘I just drink socially. It is an easy way to pick on the celebrities and say things like that they were drunk or were angry.’

The version of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) was completely different. Officials said Shah Rukh and his entourage wanted to celebrate after the presentation ceremony but were not allowed to do so.

He allegedly misbehaved with an elderly guard and pushed him. When MCA officials intervened, he is said to have abused them.

‘This is a grave matter. I have called for an urgent meeting and we shall discuss the matter following which we will decide the future course of action,’ union minister and MCA president Vilasrao Deshmukh told IANS.

A decision on a lifetime ban would be taken only after the meeting of all members from the managing committee of MCA next week, MCA Joint Secretary Nitin Dalal said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Iqbal Shaikh agreed that the actor was drunk and said police were looking into the matter.

‘Shah Rukh was drunk. He was smelling of alcohol but he was not drinking at the Wankhede stadium. But it is not an offence. He was also abusing and threatening MCA and BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) officials,’ said Sheikh.

Sheikh, who is also a member of the MCA managing committee, said he was present at the ground and tried to prevent the situation from turning ugly.

As the controversy swirled, IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla said a decision would be taken only after getting all the versions.

The scuffle is unwelcome news for the star, who was in the spotlight in January this year for slapping director Shirish Kunder at a party hosted by Sanjay Dutt.

Shah Rukh’s colleagues in Bollywood appeared to be strangely quiet at this latest controversy with no immediate reactions.

“I don’t think that my behaviour was incorrect or I did something illegal. I think what I did was correct. They are my kids and I have a responsibility towards them. I will not apologise. They (officials) should apologise to me,” Shah Rukh told reporters here.

Co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the Bollywood superstar’s statement came Thursday as he faced a lifetime ban on entering the Wankhede Stadium after he allegedly turned up drunk at the ground and misbehaved with security guards and cricket officials.

The incident took place Wednesday night after his Kolkata Knight Riders beat Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League match at the stadium.

The 46-year-old allegedly misbehaved and pushed the security guard at the stadium, following which he also abused officials from the MCA when they tried to intervene late Wednesday night.

“I had gone to pick up my children who were there to watch the match. I went there, congratulated my team and when I came back, I saw that there a gentleman was manhandling the children. They were pushing little girls. I just told him that this is not the way to behave,” said Shah Rukh.

“He (the official) spoke something in Marathi, something which I can’t even repeat…I said he should not speak to me like this. It is extremely disturbing to see the way they manhandled children. Their behaviour is unpardonable. They were extremely highhanded. I won’t deny that I could have said something in a fit of anger,” he added.

Shah Rukh said he possesses good sportsman’s spirit and that he would never ever behave in a bad manner.

“We are public figures. We are actors and we will never ever behave rudely,” he insisted. “There was no argument with the cops. They were just trying to control the fight. They said, ‘Aap ghar jao hum dekh lenge’.”

A complaint has been registered in Mumbai’s Marine Drive police station by the MCA officials. Assistant Commissioner of Police Iqbal Shaikh said the actor was “smelling” of liquor.

Commenting upon that, SRK said: “I was not drunk. I just drink socially. It is an easy way to pick on the celebrities and say things like that they were drunk or were angry.”

The incident took place Wednesday night after the IPL match between his team and Mumbai Indians. Kolkata Knight Riders won the match.

Khan allegedly misbehaved with a security guard and pushed him. When Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officials tried to intervene, he is said to have abused them.

A complaint has been registered in Mumbai’s Marine Drive police station by MCA officials, who will decide on the ban Thursday.

“He pushed the security guard and misbehaved with him. He also used bad language with security officials at the stadium. When we tried to intervene, he yelled out expletives at us,” MCA Treasurer Ravi Sawant told reporters Thursday morning.

Sawant said Shah Rukh, flanked by the bodyguards, went to the players’ dressing rooms to congratulate them. He then came down and started going towards the ground.

“When the security personnel told him that he cannot do so, he abused the guard and his men manhandled the security personnel,” he alleged.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Iqbal Shaikh also confirmed the incident and said police were looking into the matter.

However, the final decision to ban Bollywood star and Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan from entering Wankhede cricket stadium will be taken only after getting the version of all those involved, Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Rajiv Shukla said Thursday.

“So far, no decision has been taken on the ban,” Shukla, who is also vice president of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), told reporters. He added that he would be talking to the Mumbai Cricketers Association (MCA) and would also take Shah Rukh’s version before giving a reaction.

“The decision of a ban is always taken by the working committee, so I will speak to MCA president Vilasrao Deshmukh on this. I have to take the version of all the parties involved and then speak,” Shukla said.

MCA officials have registered a police complaint in Mumbai’s Marine Drive police station for Shah Rukh Khan’s alleged misbehaviour Wednesday night at the stadium.

Commenting on the issue, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and former cricketer Kirti Azad said: “First of all, it is very hard to believe that Shah Rukh Khan can go there (Wankhede stadium) in a drunken state. I feel sorry for the cricket loving country that these kind of things are happening in IPL. It is disgraceful and unfortunate.”

“He pushed the security guard and misbehaved with him. He also used bad language with security officials at the stadium. When we tried to intervene, he yelled out expletives at us,” MCA Treasurer Ravi Sawant told reporters Thursday morning.

Pune Warriors also suspended Mishra with immediate effect after he and four others were suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on charges of spot-fixing.

“We strongly condemn his irresponsible conduct, and are suspending him with immediate effect till further investigation happens. He will not take any further part in the IPL,” Pune Warriors owner Sushanto Roy said in a release.

“We appreciate the stand taken by the BCCI, and welcome the step of suspending Mohnish Mishra,” Roy added.

The frannchise also released a letter written by Mishra, in which the cricketer accepted that the statements made by him on camera were in fact made, though casually.

“I sincerely apologise for the embarrassment caused to Sahara due to such frivolous and incorrect statements. I have not received any amount in cash from Sahara,” the player said.

Sahara said Mishra made the comments “to develop his value or maybe he wanted to be pompous in front of others during the course of discussion”, and that he has not received any amount in cash from Sahara.

“He has apologised for his frivolous and incorrect statements,” the release said.

Roy categorically denied that Pune Warriors said that his franchisee had paid money in cash to any player “over and above the maximum amount permissible by BCCI for any such player”.

“We once again reiterate that Sahara has never paid any amount in cash or otherwise to Mohnish Mishra or any other player, over and above the maximum amount permissible by BCCI for any such player and neither do we believe in this practise of giving black money,” said Roy.

Besides Mishra, the other players caught in the sting operation are T.P. Sudhindra (Madhya Pradesh-Deccan Chargers), Amit Yadav (Goa-Kings XI Punjab), Shalabh Shrivastava (Uttar Pradesh-Kings XI Punjab) and Abhinav Bali (Himachal Pradesh).

They were suspended by the BCCI in the wake of a sting operation by a news channel which claimed corruption in domestic cricket, including the lucrative IPL.

An apex court bench headed by Justice Deepak Verma dismissed as withdrawn the petition by one Ram Gopal Singh Sisodia contending that Tendulkar’s nomination to the upper house of the Indian constitution was contrary to the provisions of the constitution.

The court asked the petitioner to move the appropriate high court to raise his contention.

The petitioner contended that the Article 80(3) of the constitution provides for nomination of eminent people from the field of literature, science, art and social services. He contended that there is no provision for the nomination of an individual to the Rajya Sabha from the sports category.

Tendulkar, who was also given the honorary rank of group captain in the Indian Air Force in 2010, was nominated by the government for a seat in the upper house of parliament April 26 alongside actress Rekha and industrialist Anu Aga.

Negi was assured of the title when second running Chinese Grand Master Yu Yangyi drew with top seed Grand Master Le Quang Liem of Vietnam after three hours of play. This was despite the last round loss of Negi to Grand Master Saleh Salem of the United Arab Emirates.

Negi and Yu finished in a tie with seven points each but the Indian won by tie-break over Yu Yangyi whom he had beaten in their individual encounter.

In the women’s division, Irene beat Eesha Karavade of India to finish alone with seven points for the title. Erstwhile leader Mary Ann Gomes of India was beaten by Tan Zhongyi of China in the last round.

Asian Chess Federation president Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan and secretary general Hisham Al Taher gave away the awards.

After a couple of strong oval tests, Armaan was just three-tenths of a second shy of the top spot Saturday, netting an average lap speed of 189.049 Mph while clocking a best of 47.0666 seconds over the 2.5 mile circuit.

With 48 laps completed on the day, Armaan, sponsored by JK Tyre and driving for Fan Force United team, served notice that he will most certainly be a contender for victory in the Freedom 100 May 25.

As many as 17 cars participated in the test session and all were within a second of each other.

Armaan said: “It’s way different from any other oval. We’ve tested at Fontana and Iowa, but those two tracks are totally different from each other.

“Every oval has a totally different reaction, but so far, that has gone well. I’m enjoying the ovals, and it’s going to a whole different story when you have 20 other guys out there with you.”

Commenting on the on-track traffic, Armaan said: “Actually it was fine. I was behind a couple of cars and it felt fine, no problem at all. The only thing to do is watch for cars beside you and stay in your lane.”

Further elaborating on his day and emphasising the unique challenge of oval tracks in general and Indianapolis in particular, Armaan said: “It was a good day. We were up to speed quickly. It was only my third time on an oval and I’m more relaxed and comfortable, just trying to be smooth and get it right.

“The speed here is so nice. This is definitely a special place, and it is a great feeling just to be able to drive on the track. We’re going to keep working hard, preparing for all possibilities because we know it could be completely different when we get back here in a couple of weeks.”

Armaan’s teammate, Emerson Newton-John, who was also experiencing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time, completed Flaps, clocking a top average speed of 187.455 Mph.

Armaan Ebrahim  is a car racer from Chennai, India. He is the son of the ex-Indian F3 champion Akbar Ebrahim.Armaan is popular in the Indian media and featured on a special programme on national television with former F1 superstar David Coulthard, during the latter’s visit to India in October, 2009

“From the surplus of IPL, BCCI will make a one-time benefit payment to cricketers who have retired before 2003-04 in recognition of their services to Indian Cricket, in both International and Domestic levels,” the Board said in a release after the Working Committee meeting at Chennai.

“Around 160 cricketers are eligible for this payment. The total payment is approximately Rs 70 crores,” it said. Cricketers who have played more than 100 Test matches will get Rs 1.5 Crore while those who have played between 75 and 99 Tests will receive Rs one crore.

Those who have played between 50 and 74 Tests will get Rs 75 lakhs while those between 25 and 49 Tests will receive Rs 60 lakhs. Cricketers who have played between 10 and 24 Tests will be handed Rs 50 lakhs while those between one and nine Test matches and who have played their last international match before 1970 will get Rs 35 lakhs.

Cricketers who have played 100 and more first class matches will get Rs 30 lakhs while those who have played between 75 and 99 matches will receive Rs 25 lakhs. The one-dayers played by the cricketers will be added with three ODIs being counted as one Test match. But for this, the cricketer will have to play at least one Test. “Three ODIs would be calculated as one Test match,” BCCI President N Srinivasan told reporters after the Working Committee Meeting.

“Good Lord, it’s fantastic,” was the reaction from former Test middle order mainstay Chandu Borde who led India in one Test when regular skipper Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi was injured and unavailable to play on the 1967-68 tour of Australia.