Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh was arrested by Haryana police on Sunday for a caste slur he used during an Instagram broadcast in 2020. The 39-year-old has been released on interim bail. Yuvraj had landed in trouble after Haryana Police registered an FIR against him in February under Sections 153, 153A, 295, 505 of IPC, besides sections 3 (1) (r) and 3 (1) (s) of SC/ST Act. The FIR came after an advocate from Hisar filed a police complaint against Yuvraj for his “casteist comments” during an Instagram live session with India opener Rohit Sharma in June 2020.

Yuvraj had mocked India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal’s TikTok videos, saying “Yeh b***gi log ko kaam nahi hai yeh Yuzi aur isko (Kuldeep Yadav).” (These b***gis have no other work).

Rohit had also pointed to a video featuring Chahal and his family.

After his remarks caused outrage, Yuvraj apologised for “unintentionally hurting sentiments” of a particular section of the society.

“This is to clarify I have never believed in any kind of disparity, be it on the basis of caste, colour, creed or gender. I have given and continue to spend my life for the welfare of people. I believe in the dignity of life and respect each individual without exception,” he said in a Twitter post.

Yuvraj had said he was misunderstood. The Punjab & Haryana High Court earlier this week ordered the Haryana Police to release former Yuvraj on bail if he is arrested on joining the probe. The court was hearing Yuvraj’s plea seeking quashing of the FIR against him.

The court noted that the Haryana Police is seeking only a “formal arrest” of the Yuvraj Singh in the case. Hence, if the investigating officer arrests the cricketer after he joins the probe, he would be released on interim bail upon furnishing bail and surety bonds. The court had asked Yuvraj Singh to appear before Haryana police in the case.