Cricket bats for hitting ball, not assaulting anyone: HC

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday said that a cricket bat should be used for hitting the ball and not for assaulting anyone, and directed members of two cricket teams to pay a substantial amount to any charity organisation as a punitive measure for assaulting each other with bats.

The incident took place in Mankhurd in January 2015.

The cricket teams were playing in the vicinity when there was an exchange of words between them resulting in both sides assaulting each other with stones and bats.

The injured were taken to Shatatbdi Hospital after which a First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Trombay police station.

Both sides on Tuesday approached the High Court seeking quashing of the FIR.

“They must pay for what they have done. Out of the applicants, only two are students. They have to learn a lesson, otherwise they will continue with this behaviour,” said Justice A S Oka.

“Cricket bats are for hitting the ball and not for assaulting anyone,” the court said.

The High Court told the accused to pay a “substantial amount” to the police welfare fund or any other charity
organisation.

“Give the money to a charity organisation or hand over a cheque to us,” the court said.
It further sought affidavits from the four injured persons. The matter will be heard on June 21.