Luke, Appanna, Vaidya quizzed on molestation, threat charges

Australian cricketer Luke Pomersbach, accused of molesting US woman Zohal Hameed, IPL franchisee Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team player K P Appanna and team manager Avinash Vaidya were quizzed at the Chanakyapuri police station here on the molestation and threat to withdraw case charges made by the alleged victim, police said.

Confirming that the Aussie player, who plays for RCB, was again called for questioning on Monday evening, his lawyer said, “He went there and after around 20 minutes left the police station. He was called for questioning,” said the advocate, Neeraj Chaudhry.

A new name has now emerged in the case as the victim alleged that some RCB players had threatened her to withdraw the case through her friend – Anete. She told the police that some players asked Anete to pass on their  warning to her.

“Anete is an Israeli national. We will question her to find out from where the threat emanated,” said a senior police officer.

Hameed alleged that a senior person from the RCB administration asked Anete to advise her to drop the charges against Luke. Anete reside in South Extension and Hameed met her in US a few years ago and they became friends. Hameed also told police that she had called Anete for a business meeting.

Hameed was in the beauty salon business in the US and ran into losses a few years ago. She came down to India to start a new venture.

The officer said Pomersbach may be questioned again. The investigators are also planning to record the statements of some more RCB members, including coach Ray Jennings and its party coordinator.

The investigators said Pomersbach injured his hand when he missed the target and hit the wall during a brawl with the victim's fiancee Sahil Peerzada and his friends. The player almost broke his right thumb and is wearing a plaster.

They said the probe was almost complete and the charge sheet will be filed soon in the city court. So far, police have recorded statements of more than 15 people in the case.
“As the accused and the victim are foreigners, their movement is restricted; so it is better that we complete the investigation fast and file a charge sheet,” said another senior police officer.

Police is yet to record the statement of Miraj, friend of Peerzada.