Born in India · Nationality Indian — Sport / politics / media

Harbhajan Singh

Documented profile covering 13 controversies, including “Sanction following provocative send-off gesture towards Ricky Ponting” and “Expulsion from National Cricket Academy over discipline and punctuality”.

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Profile No. 0272 · Updated on 12 October 2026

13Documented controversies+ 1 background event

21Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

10–12 August 2026

Drug-related video presented as showing Punjab: police locate it in Rajasthan

No legal proceedings

Harbhajan published a video of two men apparently intoxicated to highlight drug problems in Punjab. Punjab Police clarified that it had been filmed in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan.

State of the evidence: Publication and Punjab Police fact-check documented
Legal status — source text: No conviction; Punjab officials mentioned possible further action
Attribution: Direct personal responsibility for publishing the incorrectly located video

Sources · 2

[1]
The Indian ExpressSource — The Indian ExpressMediaVery high reliability
[2]
The TribuneSource — The TribuneMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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19–20 August 2026

School video used as current criticism: footage dates from 2018

No legal proceedings

Harbhajan shared a clip showing the condition of toilets at a school in Fatehgarh Sahib to criticise the current government. Checks showed that the video dated from 2018.

State of the evidence: Publication and earlier date documented
Legal status — source text: No legal proceedings identified
Attribution: Personal responsibility for sharing without temporal context

Sources · 1

[1]
The TribuneSource — The TribuneMediaVery high reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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July 2024

"Tauba Tauba" video criticised as mocking disabled people

Allegations

Harbhajan published a video with Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and other former players imitating a painful walk, criticised as caricaturing disability.

State of the evidence: Video, complaint and apology documented
Legal status — source text: Complaint filed; no conviction identified
Attribution: Direct personal responsibility as publisher of the video

Sources · 1

[1]
The Indian ExpressSource — The Indian ExpressMediaVery high reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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2010

Kicking an advertising hoarding in Bangladesh: reprimand

Civil / administrative proceedings

Following a fielding error, Harbhajan kicked an advertising hoarding and damaged it.

State of the evidence: Incident admitted and sanctioned
Legal status — source text: Sporting reprimand
Attribution: Direct personal responsibility

Sources · 1

[1]
The GuardianSource — The GuardianMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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2009

Hummer without registration plates: Chandigarh police issue challan

Civil / administrative proceedings

Chandigarh police fined Harbhajan's Hummer because it was being driven without legally compliant registration plates.

State of the evidence: Offence and challan documented
Attribution: Responsibility linked to the use of the vehicle

Sources · 2

[1]
The Indian ExpressSource — The Indian ExpressMediaHigh reliability
[2]
NDTV SportsSource — NDTV SportsMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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January 2008

"Monkeygate": allegation of racist insult towards Andrew Symonds, charge reduced on appeal

Civil / administrative proceedings

Andrew Symonds accused Harbhajan of calling him a "monkey". An initial ruling sanctioned him for racial abuse, triggering an international cricket crisis.

State of the evidence: Allegation and ICC proceedings documented
Legal status — source text: Initial three-Test suspension; on appeal, the racial abuse charge was not proven and was replaced by an abusive language offence carrying a fine
Attribution: Personal responsibility alleged; racist characterisation not upheld

Sources · 2

[1]
ICCSource — ICCOfficial documentVery high reliability
[2]
ICCSource — ICCOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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April–May 2008

"Slapgate" IPL: slap against S. Sreesanth and lengthy suspensions

Civil / administrative proceedings

After a Mumbai Indians–Kings XI Punjab match, Harbhajan struck Sreesanth following the match.

State of the evidence: Incident and sanctions documented
Legal status — source text: Suspension for the remainder of the IPL, followed by five ODIs imposed by the BCCI
Attribution: Direct personal responsibility

Sources · 2

[1]
ESPNSource — ESPNMediaHigh reliability
[2]
The Indian ExpressSource — The Indian ExpressMediaVery high reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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2006

Alcohol brand advertisement without turban: anger among Sikh organisations

No legal proceedings

Harbhajan appeared without a turban in a Royal Stag advertisement, provoking criticism from the SGPC and Sikh leaders.

State of the evidence: Advertisement and apologies documented
Legal status — source text: No criminal proceedings
Attribution: Direct personal responsibility

Sources · 2

[1]
Hindustan TimesSource — Hindustan TimesMediaHigh reliability
[2]
Times of IndiaSource — Times of IndiaMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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2005

Provocative gesture after taking Ashwell Prince's wicket

Civil / administrative proceedings

Harbhajan pleaded guilty following a gesture and remarks deemed provocative towards Ashwell Prince.

State of the evidence: Disciplinary guilt admitted
Legal status — source text: Fine of 25% of the match fee
Attribution: Direct personal responsibility

Sources · 1

[1]
ESPNSource — ESPNMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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2003

Fine for abusive language towards an umpire in Bangladesh

Civil / administrative proceedings

During the TVS Cup in Bangladesh, Harbhajan was sanctioned after a verbal exchange with an umpire was deemed abusive.

State of the evidence: Sporting sanction documented
Legal status — source text: Fine of 50% of the match fee
Attribution: Direct personal responsibility

Sources · 1

[1]
Hindustan TimesSource — Hindustan TimesMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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2001

Sanction at Port Elizabeth for excessive appealing and intimidation of umpires

Civil / administrative proceedings

Harbhajan was sanctioned by match referee Mike Denness for disciplinary misconduct during the Port Elizabeth Test.

State of the evidence: ICC sanction documented
Legal status — source text: Fine of 75% of the match fee and a suspended one-Test ban
Attribution: Direct personal responsibility

Sources · 2

[1]
ESPNcricinfo archiveSource — ESPNcricinfo archiveMediaHigh reliability
[2]
The GuardianSource — The GuardianMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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2000

Expulsion from National Cricket Academy over discipline and punctuality

Civil / administrative proceedings

Harbhajan was expelled from the NCA's first training camp, with officials citing problems of discipline and punctuality.

State of the evidence: Expulsion documented
Attribution: Personal responsibility disputed

Sources · 2

[1]
ESPNcricinfo archiveSource — ESPNcricinfo archiveMediaHigh reliability
[2]
NDTV SportsSource — NDTV SportsMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

Add to this entry

1998

Sanction following provocative send-off gesture towards Ricky Ponting

Civil / administrative proceedings

In Sharjah, Harbhajan had a heated exchange with Ricky Ponting after dismissing him and ostentatiously pointed him towards the pavilion.

State of the evidence: Sanction documented
Legal status — source text: Sporting fine and suspension reported
Attribution: Direct personal responsibility

Sources · 1

[1]
RediffSource — RediffMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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II. Documented background

Documented biographical or institutional milestones (elections, appointments, foundings, acquisitions…). These are not controversies and are not counted as such.

June 2021
Publication of tribute featuring Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale's photograph, followed by apology
Harbhajan shared an image commemorating those who died during Operation Blue Star that included Bhindranwale's portrait, which was interpreted as a tribute to a separatist figure.
Sources · 1
1. The Indian Express — Source — The Indian Express

III. Constellation of documented links

Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
Line width: number of documented references
Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (2)

S. Sreesanth2 documented references
- Victim of "Slapgate": slapped by Harbhajan Singh Source ↗
- "Slapgate" IPL: slap against S. Sreesanth and lengthy suspensions Source ↗
Yuvraj Singh2 documented references
- "Tauba Tauba" video accused of mocking disabled people Source ↗
- "Tauba Tauba" video criticised as mocking disabled people Source ↗

IV. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.

I. Documented controversies

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II. Documented background

Publication of tribute featuring Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale's photograph, followed by apology

III. Constellation of documented links

IV. Has something changed?