Investigation Demanded After Rajasthan Royals Batter Riyan Parag Caught Allegedly Vaping in IPL Dressing Room
A viral broadcast clip from the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) has triggered demands for a formal investigation into Rajasthan Royals batter Riyan Parag. The footage allegedly shows the 22-year-old using a vape-like device in the dressing room during a match against the Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.
The incident has sparked criticism from public health advocates, specifically the advocacy group Mothers Against Vaping. The organization has called upon the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to launch a thorough inquiry, citing strict national laws against electronic cigarettes.
Legal Framework: The 2019 Vaping Ban
In India, the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of electronic cigarettes are illegal under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019. The Union Health Ministry has consistently maintained that possessing e-cigarettes in any quantity violates federal law.
Representatives from Mothers Against Vaping rejected social media claims that indoor vaping falls into a legal grey area. The group issued a public statement clarifying the legal penalties, noting that violations can result in imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of 50,000 rupees, or both for first-time offenders.
- Strict Application: Advocates stress that high-profile athletes must adhere to the same laws as ordinary citizens.
- Youth Influence: The primary concern centers on the normalization of banned nicotine devices among millions of young cricket fans watching the IPL.
- Corporate Accountability: The group raised questions about whether the exposure inadvertently served as publicity for multinational tobacco companies attempting to circumvent the Indian ban.
Incident Details and Player Profile
The controversy mars what was otherwise a breakout season for Parag. While initial viral reports incorrectly identified him as the team captain—a role held by Sanju Samson—Parag was a central figure in the Rajasthan Royals batting lineup throughout the 2024 tournament.
| Incident Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| Player Involved | Riyan Parag (Rajasthan Royals) |
| Location | Mullanpur Cricket Stadium |
| Opponent | Punjab Kings |
| Alleged Violation | Possession and use of an electronic cigarette |
| Governing Law | Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 |
According to match archives from ESPNcricinfo, the Rajasthan Royals played the Punjab Kings at Mullanpur on April 13, 2024. The broadcast clip surfaced during live coverage, showing the player seated in the pavilion handling what appeared to be a prohibited device.
Calls for BCCI Intervention
Mothers Against Vaping insists that Parag should voluntarily submit to an investigative process. The collective emphasized that vaping acts as a gateway habit for adolescents, making strict enforcement of the law critical for public health.
The Indian Premier League and the Rajasthan Royals franchise have not yet issued official statements regarding the dressing room incident. Public health advocates continue to urge the cricket board to establish the facts, enforce accountability, and ensure that the league’s massive broadcasting reach does not inadvertently promote banned substances to youth demographics.