Press Trust of India
New Delhi, June 22: Hockey India (HI) sought Wednesday 10 weeks’ time to respond to the Delhi Commission for Women’s (DCW) notice on the allegations of sexual harassment against Sardar Singh but firmly threw its weight behind the Indian captain by questioning the complainant’s ‘belated’ charges.
In a letter to DCW chairperson Swati Mahliwal, HI said since the national team has a six-nation tournament followed by the Olympic Games, it would be able to send a comprehensive response on the matter only after August 23.
“We shall provide you with a detailed response once the team is back from Brazil and after ascertaining and verifying all the facts as stated by you in your notice dated June 14, 2016,” HI said.
“It is obvious that the complaint has been filed at a belated stage. Therefore we would like to verify all the facts and only after the verification will be able to respond to the notice issued by you,” it added.
The woman, in her complaint, has alleged that Sardar physically abused her after promising to marry her. Sardar, on his part, has denied the allegations.
It should be mentioned here however, that during the Champions Trophy played in Bhubaneswar, the Indian skipper had admitted to Orissa POST to be in a relationship with the same woman who has lodged a complaint. A picture of the two was also carried by the paper.
