Jacob Martin: Former Indian cricketer Jacob Martin has been acquitted by a Patiala court in a criminal case. The 54-year-old played 10 One Day Internationals for Team India between 1999 and 2001.

Former Indian Cricketer Jacob Martin

Former Indian cricketer Jacob Martin has received a major reprieve from the court. The Patiala House Court has acquitted him of all charges in a 22-year-old criminal case. He was charged under sections 420, 468, 471, 120B of the Indian Penal Code and Section 12 of the Passport Act. Martin played 10 ODIs for India between 1999 and 2001.

The charges against Martin Jacob of obtaining a fake immigration stamp, financial transactions, and travel arrangements were not proven. The court found no concrete evidence of his ownership or control over the financial transactions or Ajwa Sports Club. Witnesses also failed to substantiate the allegations.

Jacob Martin was acquitted by the court. Speaking to the media afterward, the former cricketer explained that he was charged in 2004 when a member of his team overstayed his visa in the UK and returned to India with a fake immigration stamp. He explained that his name was not even included in the original FIR, but was added during the investigation. He believed this was because he was an international cricketer.

Lost job due to case

Jacob Martin said that he lost his railway job over the case, and that this 22-year-old case caused him immense stress. He said that the acquittal was a relief and a turning point in his life.

Martin said, "In 2024, my team went to play in the UK. Everyone except one boy returned. The one who stayed in the UK could have stayed for six months because the visa period was six months. But he stayed for more than six months and got a fake stamping done through someone. When he came to India, he was detained and questioned at IGI Airport."