Bangladeshi fan ‘Tiger Robi’ sent back after controversy during Kanpur Test

PTI, Sep 29, 2024, 8:30 AM IST

Bangladeshi supporter 'Tiger Robi' being escorted out of the Green Park Stadium, in Kanpur, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, during the 2nd Test match between India and Bangladesh. (Credit: PTI Photo)

Kanpur: Bangladeshi cricket fan Rabi-ul-Islam, also popularly called Tiger Robi, has been “deported” to his country, sources said on Saturday, a day after he stoked a controversy by claiming he was assaulted inside the stadium here during the India-Bangladesh Test match and later retracting his allegation.

However, Additional DCP (Local Intelligence Unit) Rajesh Kumar Srivastava said Robi, who was suffering from metastatic cancer, had come to India on a medical visa and authorities had facilitated his travel back home as per his wish.

Robi was taken to Chakeri airport escorted by police personnel and they remained there till his flight took off for Delhi on Saturday. The Bangladeshi national took a flight for Dhaka from Delhi airport in the afternoon and he was not allowed to go outside the airport premises, the official said.

ADCP Srivastava told PTI that Robi had come to India on September 18 after getting a visa on medical grounds to undergo treatment at a hospital in Howrah but instead visited Chennai to support the Bangladesh team who played their first Test and later left for Kanpur.

Robi reached Green Park stadium on Friday morning and walked to the C-Balcony enclosure and was seen waving flags during the match which may have resulted in exhaustion and he was taken ill, police officials said.

“He was found gasping for breath when he met a constable. He became unconscious before we could speak to him,” Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chander told PTI.

He was taken to Regency Hospital from where he was discharged on Friday late evening, the ACP added.

Earlier, during a brief interaction with the media on Friday, Robi indicated that he had been punched in his abdomen during an altercation. However, in a statement issued from his hospital bed later, he said he merely felt unwell and was given the requisite assistance by the local police.

“I fell ill and the police brought me to the hospital. Now, I am feeling much better,” he stated in a short video clip.

According to officials, Robi had reached Kanpur on Thursday night and he had to sleep on the street along with labourers.

He stayed at a hotel in Kanpur on Friday night and was taken to Chakeri airport on Saturday morning, they said.

Abhishek Pandey, ACP (Kalyanpur), said Robi received immediate medical care and insisted that he had not been assaulted as alleged in early reports.

Sources said it is not clear how he travelled for the matches despite having a medical visa and has been deported.