IPL, Ranji players booked for threatening journalist

PANAJI - A Goa-based cricketer attached to the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Bangalore Royal Challengers has been booked along with a state level Ranji cricketer for threatening a journalist here Wednesday.

In the police complaint filed by Rupesh Samant, a local news agency journalist, Bangalore Royal Challengers’ reserve player Saurabh Bandekar (23) and Goa state Ranji player Rohit Asnodkar were obstructing traffic by parking their car in the middle of the road and speaking on the phone.

“I was heading to the International Film Festival of India venue when I honked at the car before me, which was parked a short distance from the police station in the middle of the road and creating a traffic jam. After I honked a couple of times, Saurabh instigated his colleague Rohit to handle me,” the journalist said in the complaint filed with the Panaji police station.

The journalist also said that he was abused and threatened by Rohit.

Both Saurav and Rohit have been booked under section 506 of the Indian Penal Code by the Panaji police. Police Inspector Sandesh Chodankar added that the two cricketers had also filed a cross complaint against the journalist.

Saurabh has represented India in the under-19 level as well.