Mumbai: Banned Bangladeshi umpire Nadir Shah has again been denied Indian visa on Thursday. The 51-year-old had approached the Office of the Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh on October 28 and had submitted his passport – valid till May 26, 2018 – for which a token number was issued.
Two days later, the passport was returned. There was no reason given for the refusal of visa. Speaking exclusively to this reporter, Shah said: “I want to come to India to see my ailing aunt as she is an old lady and nobody is there to look after her.”
Shah has officiated in 40 one-day internationals, but was banned for 10 years in 2013 after allegations of corruption. A sting operation by a television channel further sabotaged his career. In the footage, he appeared to agree to give decisions in return for money when officiating in the ICC World T20 in 2012.
“I don’t know whether my visa has been denied because of my suspension but I am very upset with this latest development. I have been to India on several occasions even after this ban and have travelled to United States to meet my mother. But now I am surprised.” Nadir Shah is now considering to seek Prime Minister's (PM) intervention in the matter.
"It is one of the options (to meet the PM). I shall be requesting the Office the Honourable PM to look into the issue and help me travel to India,” he added.
