By Maleeva Rebello
Former Sri Lankan cricket captain Sanath Jayasuriya was recently accused of smuggling rotten betel nuts to India. While the former cricketer denied the allegation, here are other sports stars who have been caught on the wrong side of the law.
(In pic from left: Sanath Jayasuriya, Mike Tyson, Muhammed Shami)
In 1994, American figure skater Tonya Harding and her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly were accused of plotting an attack on two-time Olympic medallist Nancy Kerrigan. Kerrigan was clubbed in the knee during practice, leaving her with a broken bone. Although Harding vehemently denied any involvement in the assault, Gillooly was implicated in the crime. Harding eventually pleaded guilty to hindering the prosecution, which earned her a life ban and ended her career as a skater.
Crime: Hindering prosecution against ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly.
Punishment: Banned for life from the US Figure Skating Association
(Image: Tonya Harding/Instagram)
Over the years, Mike Tyson has been accused and convicted of rape, felony, drug possession and crashing into a police vehicle. In 2006, the former heavyweight champion admitted to being addicted to drugs. The following year, he was sentenced to 24 hours in jail and three years’ probation for drug possession and driving under the influence. Prior to that, in 1992, he was sentenced to six years in prison and four years of probation for raping a teenage beauty queen.
Crime: Felony, drug possession and crashing into a police vehicle.
Punishment: Jail for 24 hours, three years probation, 360 hours community service and help with drug issues.
The South African paralympian was convicted for shooting and killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day 2013 through a locked bathroom door. Pistorius shot Steenkamp, who, he claimed, he mistook for an intruder. In 2014, Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide for which he got a fiveyear prison sentence. The sentence was overturned. He was convicted for murder in 2016 but subsequently handed down only six years. Last year, South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal doubled his sentence to 15 years.
Crime: Murder.
Punishment: 15 years imprisonment for murder and suspension from athletic competitions till his sentence is served.
In 2002, German tennis legend Boris Becker faced a lengthy prison term for tax evasion. The three-time Wimbledon champion was said to have knowingly defrauded the German tax authorities by filing false tax returns. Becker was found guilty and was even convicted for the crime. However, the judges rejected the prosecution’s demand to put him behind bars. Becker had pleaded guilty to evading about 1.7 million euros tax by claiming to live in Monte Carlo at a time when his main residence was really in Munich.
Crime: Evading taxes since the 1990s.
Punishment: Two-year prison sentence that was suspended for three years, 500,000 euro fine and payment of the entire cost of the trial.
(Image: Boris Becker/Instagram)
Under the new rules, the government has provided a specific definition for overseas portfolio investment (OPI), making it clear that such investments can be made in both listed and unlisted space.
Private equity firms Bain Capital and Advent International are looking to exit Quest Global Services, six years after investing in the engineering outsourcing firm, said people aware of the matter.
India’s equity indices dropped 1.5%, extending losses to the second straight day, as renewed concerns that the US Federal Reserve will be steadfast in its battle against inflation ate into some of the recent gains.
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