Family, coach stand by Rahul Sharma over drugs charge

Jalandhar, July 21 (ANI): The family and coach of cricketer Rahul Sharma have reacted sharply over the reports claiming that the India cricketer has tested positive for drugs during the rave party busted by the Mumbai Police in May.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday, Pradeep Sharma, father of Rahul Sharma, said that such reports were doing the rounds for a long time and it might be a conspiracy to frame his son.

"These reports are circulating from a long time. We had said earlier also that our son is not like this. He is not involved in drug abuse, and now also we are saying that our son is not like that and nor will he do anything of such kind. It may be a conspiracy to frame him wrongly," Sharma said.

Rahul Sharma had earlier denied the allegations and vowed to retire from the sport if tested positive.

Pradeep Sharma said he would not allow his son to take a hasty decision.

"Rahul had full confidence in himself that he is not involved in any kind of drug abuse and the test could not be positive, so he must have said so. He is still immature but we will not allow him to take such a big decision. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will take whatever decision needs to be taken," Sharma added.

Coach of Rahul Sharma, Surjit Rai Bitta meanwhile informed that the Indian leggie had suffered from paralysis and was taking steroids for that, which might be the reason for his positive reports.

"I am myself surprised. I am not very much sure that how this test is carried out. Heuffered paralytic attack and he was taking steroids for that. May be that could be the reason why the report was positive. I still believe that he could not consume drugs," Bitta said.

Bitta added that they would adhere to the decision taken by the BCCI.

"Rest depends on the Board. We will implement whatever decision would be taken by the Board," he said.

Following medical investigations, cricketers Rahul Sharma and Wayne Parnell, among the 44 persons including foreign nationals, tested positive for consuming drugs at a rave party in Juhu's suburban hotel.

Those tested positive for using banned substances are likely to be arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act of 1985. (ANI)