The Hindu : Sport / Football : A strange date with the law

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 08, 2006

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Sport - Football

A strange date with the law

Sports Reporter

KOLKATA: Indian football ace Baichung Bhutia faced a strange predicament on Thursday _ a district court in Howrah had frowned upon him for acting truant.

Bhutia had reported the loss of a suitcase belonging to his wife, Madhuri, to railway police as he returned to the city from Bangalore four years ago. The luggage was subsequently recovered as the police apprehended the felon.

"I went and identified the suitcase containing books and a few photographs, but police at the Shalimar station where it was kept in custody did not hand it over to me citing legal reasons,'' he said.

"I went back to the police three or four times looking for the books, which were needed by Madhuri, who was appearing for an exam. I returned empty handed each time. The case of the suitcase went out of my memory till I received summons from the court a few weeks ago'' he said.

Bhutia said it felt quite strange being apparently implicated for "claiming my own property''.

Bhutia said the news got unnecessarily sensationalised and "I am being made to look like a criminal — there is no arrest warrant on my name.'' As it turned out, it was only a warrant issued by the court to ensure the presence of the petitioner.

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