Former cricketer Jacob Martin on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court order refusing to cancel a non-bailable arrest warrant issued against him for his alleged involvement in an illegal emigration case.
Martin, in his petition, contended that the High Court had erred in refusing to cancel the non-bailable arrest warrant against him and dismissing his anticipatory bail plea.
The High Court had on April 8 refused to grant him any relief saying the allegation against him is serious and he has done "disservice" to the game which is close to the hearts of millions.
Martin, an Indian Railways batsman who had played 10 one-day internationals for India, is facing a Delhi Police probe for his alleged involvement in an emigration racket. As per a criminal case registered in 2004, Martin, a native of Gujarat, had taken a group of young cricketers to England that year and had facilitated the "illegal stay" of one of them on the basis of forged documents.
According to the prosecution, one Nimesh Patel had alleged that he paid nearly Rs seven lakh to one Rajender Patel, the main agent for facilitating the "illegal emigration", and Martin was the "main beneficiary". The police had said that Patel had nothing to do with the game and was subsequently deported by the British authorities for want of valid immigration papers.
{{/usCountry}}According to the prosecution, one Nimesh Patel had alleged that he paid nearly Rs seven lakh to one Rajender Patel, the main agent for facilitating the "illegal emigration", and Martin was the "main beneficiary". The police had said that Patel had nothing to do with the game and was subsequently deported by the British authorities for want of valid immigration papers.
{{/usCountry}}"It prima facie appears to be a case of human trafficking behind the smoke screen of leading a cricket team abroad. The allegation against the petitioner is serious in nature," the High Court had said while accepting the status report filed by the police in the case.
Expressing anguish over Martin's conduct, the court had said, "He claims to be an international cricket player, who has represented India abroad but prima facie appears to be illegally attempting to send people abroad by making them pose as cricket players, while they did not have even the basic knowledge of the game."