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 the Ludhiana police commissioner, who has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate before deciding whether an official FIR should be filed.
The Indian-origin woman, who is a former Under-19 England player, claimed to have been in a relationship with Sardar for the past four years and alleged he tortured her “mentally, physically and emotionally”, even forcing her to undergo an abortion last year.
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The woman claimed they got engaged in 2014 with the assent of both families, but 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.
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Sardar refuted the charges.
“I know her but there was no such thing (engagement) between us. Right now I am 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.