HC asks trial court to hear afresh plea against Sardar Singh

The Delhi High Court on Friday confirmed the interim order granting stay on the criminal proceedings against former Indian hockey team captain Sardar Singh, who is facing allegation of sexual harassment made by his estranged girlfriend, a British woman of Indian origin.

Justice Vipin Sanghi asked the trial court to consider afresh the plea of the woman. Singh had come the High Court challenging the trial court order directing the police to register an FIR on the complaint of the woman.

Interim stay

Singh was accused of sexual harassment, exploitation, mental, physical and emotional torture. In his plea before the High Court, Singh had submitted that the trial court did not give him a chance to be heard and no notice was issued before passing the order. On October 14, the High Court had granted interim stay on the proceedings before the trial court till January 8. It had also issued notice to the complainant and the Delhi Police seeking their stand on Singh’s plea.

‘No action’

The woman had approached the trial court alleging that the police did not take action on her complaint against Singh.

The allegations levelled against Singh also include attempt to murder, causing miscarriage without consent and criminal intimidation. In her complaint, the woman has alleged that the hockey player established physical relations on false promise of marriage and was also involved with other women.