Hockey India upset over Sardara interrogation

Sardara Singh, former captain and star player of the Indian national hockey team, was questioned by the West Yorkshire Police in the UK, a day after the team beat Pakistan 7-1. He was questioned in connection with the Ashpal Bhogal case. Sardara was last year accused by British-Indian hockey player Ashpal Bhogal of rape and assault. She also claimed they were engaged in 2012, and she is his fiance.

The Indian team, including Sardara, is currently in London for the World Hockey League as the team is scheduled to take on Netherlands in their final league match on Tuesday. Commenting on the situation, Hockey India has highlighted that it was wrong on the part of the Yorkshire police to summon Sardara without informing the Indian High Commission.

On speaking exclusively to Republic TV, former Hockey India chief Narinder Batra slammed the moves by the UK authorities by saying that: "Yes, Sardara was summoned by Yorkshire police after India's match against Pakistan on Sunday. This was highly atrocious and unjustified done on behalf of a Pakistani MP to affect the morale of the Indian Hockey team.“

“Sardara Singh is innocent"

Former Hockey India chief added that this is ‘nothing but a conspiracy’, “Sardara Singh is innocent. The case is concocted. No rape had happened. I had talked with Sardara and his lawyer. They have replied to all the queries and are cooperating with the investigation. But this is nothing but a conspiracy. It's a pity that Indians are tried like this in the UK. Can the Indian police summon a British National like this?"

Harendra Singh, a former Indian player, former senior team coach and told Republic TV: “So many fugitives and criminals are staying in London. What actions have been taken by their authorities until now despite repeated request by the Government of India? It's all pressure tactics. We all have to stand by Sardara and we are now an independent country”

The Indian team is at the top of Pool B and is expected to reach the final stage of the League. The final WHL match will take place in London on June 25.