Former India Cricketer Jacob Martin Faces Drunk Driving Charges in Vadodara
Former Indian cricketer Jacob Martin has found himself in legal trouble once again after being involved in a car crash while allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday in Vadodara, Gujarat, where the ex-Baroda Ranji Trophy captain crashed his SUV into three parked vehicles.
Details of the Incident and Police Action
According to Akota police officials, the 52-year-old Martin was heavily intoxicated when he lost control of his vehicle near Malhar Point around 2:30 AM on Monday. He was immediately apprehended at the scene and later booked for reckless driving and driving under the influence. Police Inspector D V Baldaniya confirmed that Martin was arrested and subsequently granted bail from the police station itself.
The authorities are currently awaiting his medical report to further substantiate the charges. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the accident as the cars were unoccupied at the time of the collision.
A Pattern of Liquor-Related Offences
This incident marks the third time Jacob Martin has been booked for offences related to alcohol consumption. His previous encounters with the law include:
- In 2013, he was arrested by Gotri police for drinking liquor with friends at his apartment, where liquor bottles were discovered.
- A few years prior to that, Raopura police had registered an offence against him for consuming alcohol in a public place.
Martin's legal troubles extend beyond alcohol-related matters. In 2011, he was at the centre of a human trafficking controversy when Delhi Police arrested him for allegedly sending a man to the UK using a fake cricket team. At that time, he was working for the railways and faced suspension from service due to the allegations.
Cricketing Career and Past Challenges
Jacob Martin represented India in 10 One-Day Internationals between 1999 and 2001. As a right-handed batsman, he had an impressive domestic career, playing 138 first-class matches and accumulating 9,192 runs with a highest score of 271.
The former cricketer has faced significant personal challenges in recent years. In 2018, he survived a near-fatal accident after falling off his two-wheeler on Old Padra Road in Vadodara. The cricketing community rallied around him during this difficult period, with the Baroda Cricket Association and BCCI providing financial assistance. Former players, match officials, and even Sourav Ganguly extended their support during his recovery.
This latest incident adds another chapter to the turbulent post-retirement life of the former cricketer, raising concerns about his repeated encounters with law enforcement agencies.
