Cricketers Rahul Sharma and Wayne Parnell tested positive for drugs taken at a rave party which was held in Mumbai’s suburban Juhu on May 20, 2012. They were among 90 people who were detained by the Mumbai Police.
Parnell later claimed that he and fellow Pune Warriors teammate, Sharma, were innocent and that they were “at the wrong place at the wrong time” after the duo were detained during the party. Although Parnell admitted that both the players were present at the party in the Oakwood Premier Hotel, they said they were unaware of any drugs being supplied there.
According to reports, drugs including cocaine, MDMA and cannabis were consumed at the party. Of the 90 people, 86 apparently tested positive – 35 foreign nationals, who had been “shown as wanted” as per a police official, and 51 Indians. These 86 people had a 1200-page charge sheet drawn up against them according to PTI. The players were granted bail and allowed to continue playing.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly stood behind under-fire Sharma saying the young leg-spinner probably committed the “mistake unknowingly” and he, therefore, should not lose his place in the national team. In 2014, Parnell was omitted from the South Africa squad for its World Twenty 20 match against the Netherlands so he could appear in court in Mumbai. While the South African has become a regular member of his national team in recent times, Sharma has found it difficult to cement his place in the national side or any of the IPL franchises.
