THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Gavaskar, the police driver who was in the headlines of all the newspapers and channels for a while in Kerala following the orderly controversy, never expected his name would be noticed overnight in the media. Gavaskar, the surname of a celebrated cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar, could be a rare name especially in the rural areas in southern India. However, the 37-year-old man’s father, Abdul Kareem, had no inhibitions in naming his son Gavaskar as he was an ardent fan of cricket.
Hailing from Poovachal near Kattakada, Gavaskar was brought up facing questions about his name out of curiosity. For Gavaskar, every man who talks to him asks “Are you a champion?” He politely replies he is on the path to championship. Speaking to Express, Gavaskar said he was not the only one with this rare name. Instead, there is another Gavaskar at Poovachal which is hardly ten kilometres from his residence.
“Though I had felt embarrassment many times about my name right from childhood, I got a friend of the same name near my residence. But he is not a police officer,” Gavaskar says. He was also a member of cricket team at school and college. But unlike the original Gavaskar, he was a right arm, fast bowler.
“I played cricket till my college life ended in 2002. I entered the police service in 2004. Since then, I never played the game,” Gavaskar added. He has returned to SAP camp from the personal staff of ADGP Sudhesh Kumar where his parent unit is. The decision was taken by the Home Department on Wednesday. He was working as a driver of Sudhesh Kumar.
On Tuesday, he also called on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. However, Gavaskar also shared apprehensions that the investigation on the case could be delayed. “I was told to appear before the High Court on July 4. I hope to get justice,” he said.
The incident pertaining to the case took place two weeks ago when Gavaskar lodged a complaint with the Museum police against the ADGP’s daughter. Gavaskar alleged she hit him on his neck and shoulder with a mobile phone. The Museum police had also registered a non-bailable case against her by slapping Section 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty). The case is being investigated by SP (anti-piracy cell) V K Prasanthan Kani.