Indian hockey was hit by controversy on Wednesday after an assault case was filed by a 21-year old British woman against national captain Sardar Singh late on Tuesday night. The complaint was filed with Ludhiana police commissioner, who has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate before deciding whether an official FIR would be filed.
The Indian-origin woman, who is a former Under-19 England player, claimed to be in a relationship with Sardar for the past four years and alleged he tortured her “mentally, physically and emotionally”, even forcing her to undergo abortion last year.
The woman claimed they got engaged in 2014 with the assent of both families but said Sardar had refused to marry her. “We have been in a relationship for four years since the London Olympics. He proposed to me during the 2014 World Cup followed by an engagement in India,” she said before returning to England.
Sardar rubbished the charges. “I know her but there was no such thing (engagement) between us. Right now I am only concentrating on the HIL and will reply to all allegations once I go through the complaint report and consult my lawyer,” Sardar said in Chandigarh.
Hockey India distanced itself from the mess saying it was a private affair between two adult individuals.
Sources said things soured between the two following a heated exchange in Antwerp during the Hockey World League Semifinals last year that ended in a scuffle with local authorities intervening to settle the matter.
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