Sneh Rana's Coach Narendra Shah Charged Under POCSO Act; Commits Suicide in Dehradun
Narendra Shah is Sneh Rana's coach (Twitter)
The Dehradun police have charged Narendra Shah, the coach of Sneh Rana, an Indian women's cricketer, under the POCSO Act following the leak of an explicit audio recording. The recording allegedly features Shah engaging in inappropriate conversation with a female cricketer from Chamoli district who is currently receiving cricket training in Dehradun.
After the explicit audio recording went viral on social media, Shah reportedly attempted suicide at his residence in Nehru Colony on March 24 and was admitted to Doon Medical College and Hospital in Dehradun.
As a result of the incident, he was removed from his position as co-convenor of women's cricket at the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU), although he continues to serve as the secretary of the Chamoli district cricket association.
The police believe that Shah's suicide attempt may have been prompted by the release of the audio recording, but the exact reason is still unclear and requires further investigation.
“We have registered a case under relevant sections of the POCSO Act, 506 of the IPC and SC/ST Act. Our investigation into the matter is underway,” told Lokendra Bahuguna, the in-charge at Nehru Colony police station.
According to Vijay Pratap Malla, the spokesperson for the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand, in an interview with Hindustan Times, Narendra Shah was removed from his position as co-convenor of women's cricket after the audio recording was made public.
Malla also stated that the Chamoli district cricket association's role will be assumed by the state cricket association. Malla stated that they have yet to receive a complaint from the underage girl involved.
“Taking cognisance of the media reports about the viral audio clip, the apex body of the state’s cricket association on Saturday convened a virtual meeting and decided to remove Narendra Shah from the post of co-convenor of the women’s cricket," he said.
Malla also added that:
“Shah also holds the post of secretary of Chamoli district cricket association. We have taken action at our level and removed him from the CAU post. His removal from the post of Chamoli district association is to be decided at their level. We are yet to receive any complaint from the girl cricketer or her family against Shah. If we receive any such complaint, further action will be taken against him after an inquiry."
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