Former India cricketer and Vadodara resident Jacob Martin has been acquitted by the Patiala House Court in a 22-year-old criminal case linked to a 2004 FIR.

The case involved charges under Sections 420, 468, 471 and 120B of the IPC, along with Section 12 of the Passport Act. The allegations against Martin were related to a forged UK immigration stamp, travel arrangements and financial transactions.

However, the prosecution could not establish the allegations against him. The court also noted that there was no credible evidence to prove any financial transactions involving Martin or his ownership or control of Ajwa Sports Club. Several witnesses also failed to support the allegations made in the case.

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Following his acquittal, Martin spoke to the media and explained how the case had affected his life over the past 22 years.

Martin breaks silence after getting clean chit

Martin said the case began after a member of his 2004 team overstayed his UK visa and later returned to India with a fake immigration stamp. He claimed that his name was added during the investigation even though he was not named in the original FIR.

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Martin further said that his profile as an international cricketer played a role in his name being brought into the case. He also spoke about the personal and professional impact of the long-running case, including losing his job with the Railways.

Martin, a right-handed batter, represented India in 10 ODIs and scored 158 runs at an average of 22.57.