Published: Jul 20, 2016, 11:12 AM (IST)
Edited: Jul 20, 2016, 11:12 AM (IST)
Former Indian cricketer and a living legend, Sachin Tendulkar has landed himself in a fresh controversy after reportedly trying to help a friend. The master batsman confirmed that he helped a friend in sorting out problems faced by him regarding his house in Mussoorie. He also confirmed meeting Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in this regard. A ‘Bharat Ratna’, Tendulkar is also a member of the upper house Rajya Sabha. ALSO READ: Meet of the Giants: Paras Khadka meets Sachin Tendulkar.
Certain news reports had earlier claimed that Tendulkar tried to intervene on his businessman friend Sanjay Narang’s behalf when he met Parrikar to sort out a security dispute over the land with a neighbouring DRDO establishment. This gave rise to the speculation that Tendulkar did so as he had a business interest in the land. However, the former cricketer’s official spokesperson was quick to deny any such thing.
He issued a statement claiming that the cricketer does not have any “economic interest” in the Landour cantonment where the property is located. “Mr Tendulkar attended a meeting following which a formal written representation was submitted to the Ministry of Defence on a pending dispute regarding some development undertaken in Landour by Mr Narang. Mr Tendulkar has always maintained that the prevailing laws of the land should be upheld while giving a fair opportunity to all parties concerned to present their points of view,” read the statement. ALSO SEE: Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma and Harbhajan Singh in James Franklin’s All Time XI.
The spokesperson further added that Tendulkar does not have any business relationship with Narang, who owns the property Dahlia Bank — in Landour, which has allegedly violated construction norms. “Mr Sachin Tendulkar has no present business relationship with Mr Sanjay Narang nor does he have any economic interest, whatsoever, in the Landour cantonment,” he said. These statements may have cleared the air for now, but this development has certainly set the media abuzz.
It is notable here that it is not the first time when the legendary batsman is fishing in troubled waters. In the past too the master has found his name embroiled in controversies. The famous ‘Ferrari controversy’, where he got the custom duties waived off against the rules and regulations; dispute with BMC and controversy surrounding shifting in his new house; the flag controversy, where he was accused of disrespecting the flag due to its positioning on helmet; the ‘ball-tempering’ controversy, where match referee Mike Denness had charged him for being involved in the act et al have been major controversies he has been a part of.
