Rahul Sharma is not a "party boy": family

By Bipin Dani

MUMBAI (TheSportsNext) July 23, 2012: Rahul Sharma's father suspects the positive drug report which has been focused in media may not be belonging to his son's. 

Speaking exclusively over his mobile while patrolling his duty in the police department in Jallandhar, the Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Pardeep Sharma said, "We strongly suspect my son's report may have been interchanged with someone. It may be unintentional but anything can happen in this country".

"We wonder why it took two months to announce the report. The forensic department, where the samples were sent can give the report in 2-3 days. Why the Mumbai police department announced the report of the celebrities in second phase. Instead, it should have been announced in the first list", he said.

The father also added: "Rahul is not a party-boy. He had no knowledge of the rev party. He was given to understand by his team manager that they would be attending a birthday party of some friend and therefore he went there", the father insisted.

"The family was nervous initially when the report was first announced but now we are confidant Rahul is not involved in this scandal. I have spoken to Rahul on three-four occasions and he also tried to prove his innocence. I even spoke to the team manager (Sanjay Patel) in Sri Lanka and we have been assured that Rahul has been backed by the team members".

Despite being in Jallandhar police department, the father is not pursuing the matter with Mumbai police.

"I have faith in the BCCI. The three member committee comprising of BCCI and police department is revaluating the situation and I am sure Rahul will come clean", the father added.

"Yes, he did not play the first ODI. He may or may not participate in the remaining matches. We have no regrets on that front but my son is innocent. He will not be sent back from Sri Lanka", he signed off.