Parnell detained, tested for drugs

Wayne Parnell (centre) plays DJ at a party at the Taj Palace last year.

Wayne Parnell (centre) plays DJ at a party at the Taj Palace last year.

Published May 21, 2012

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New Delhi – South Africa’s Wayne Parnell and Rahul Sharma of India were held for questioning after police in Mumbai busted a rave party in the city and detained 90 people, officials said Monday.

The two cricketers, who play for Pune warriors, were freed Monday after they were detained Sunday night on suspicion of consuming banned drugs at the party.

A number of celebrity children, people connected with Bollywood as well as some foreign nationals, who were at the party, underwent medical tests to confirm whether they had consumed the drugs.

“In all, 58 men and 32 women were held,” senior police official Vishwas Nangare Patil told reporters.

“Blood and urine samples of these people are being tested and if they are found positive for drug consumption, an investigation will be started against them,” he said.

Patil said police seized 110 grams of cocaine and drugs including ecstasy and arrested the organiser of the party for violating drug laws.

Parnell posted on twitter on Monday morning that the incident was being blown out of proportion.

“What up tweeps. Just want to assure you that last night was blown out of proportion and that I will be releasing a statement. #alliswell.”

Sharma's relatives denied the charges and told the NDTV news channel that he was attending a “birthday party” at the hotel.

The hugely popular IPL, which is in its fifth year, has been mired in a number of controversies in recent days.

Last week, Australian cricketer Luke Pomersbach was charged with molesting a woman and assaulting her fiance in a hotel in New Delhi.

Earlier last week, five IPL players were suspended following corruption allegations against them.

Also last week, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was banned from entering Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium for five years after being involved in a scuffle with security guards at the ground. – Sapa-dpa

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