Yuvraj Singh arrested over casteist slur, released on bail: Reports

Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh was arrested by Haryana police over an alleged casteist slur he used for spinner Yuzvendra Chahal on Saturday, according to multiple media reports. The 39-year-old has been released on interim bail. 

Singh was arrested by Hansi Police under sections 153A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code over a case lodged against him, according to a report in Republic. He was reportedly interrogated for three hours, but was released on bail afterwards. 

“We only made a formal arrest and he was released on bail in compliance of the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court,” News agency PTI quoted Superintendent of Police (Hansi) Nitika Gahlaut saying over the phone.

“Yuvraj Singh came to Hansi on Saturday and we made a formal arrest. He was released on bail bond after a few hours,” DSP (Hansi) Vinod Shankar said.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the Haryana Police to release the former all-rounder on bail. A bench comprising Justice Amol Rattan Singh was hearing Singh’s plea which sought quashing of the FIR filed against him after he allegedly using a castesist slur for former teammate Chahal during a chat on Instagram last year. 

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In an order on Tuesday, the Punjab and Haryana High Court noted that the Haryana Police is seeking only a “formal arrest” of the ex-cricketer. It said that if Singh is arrested after he joined the probe, he would be released on interim bail upon furnishing the bail and surety bonds. 

The court had on October 10 asked Singh to appear before the Haryana Police in connection with the case. The case has been adjourned for hearing on November 18. 

Last year, lawyer Rajat Kalsan filed an FIR against Singh under sections of the IPC and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Kalsan alleged that Singh’s comment had hurt the sentiments of the Dalit community and a large number of people had watched the video on social media.