Last month, Shashank and his father, retired Special Director General (DG) of Police Shailesh Singh, were booked by the Ratibad police in Bhopal after a cook employed at their residence accused them of assault, abuse and forcibly taking away his mobile phone.

New Delhi, July 12: Punjab Kings cricketer Shashank Singh on Sunday opened up about a recent controversy involving his family, alleging that a "false FIR" was used as a tool for extortion to tarnish his reputation as a public figure.

Last month, Shashank and his father, retired Special Director General (DG) of Police Shailesh Singh, were booked by the Ratibad police in Bhopal after a cook employed at their residence accused them of assault, abuse and forcibly taking away his mobile phone.

In a lengthy social media post, the batter clarified his stance on the allegations, which claimed he had assaulted an underprivileged individual.

"This incident changed me forever and taught me lessons I will carry for life. I am not writing this for sympathy. I am writing it because this was the first time my family and I experienced something like this, and I hope others learn from it.