Two Arrested In Amit Bhandari Assault Case
Updated - 12 Feb 2019, 10:06 AM
Former India pacer and current chairman of Delhi and District Cricket Association’s (DDCA) selection panel Amit Bhandari was attacked by a group of men wielding hockey sticks and iron rods, during a practice match in Delhi on Monday. As a result of the horrific attack, Bhandari suffered injuries to his head and ear.
Bhandari was at the venue to oversee a selection trials match with two other selectors at the St Stephen’s Cricket Ground. The attack took place when the first match of the day was about to end. Some men attacked Bhandari with hockey sticks and chains and when the onlookers tried to intervene, they were warned of dire consequences. Somehow Bhandari managed to escape before being taken to hospital.
Later, reports suggested that a player who had failed to make it to the Under-23 squad had orchestrated the whole attack. The Police later confirmed that the alleged player and his 14 other accomplices had attacked Bhandari.
“Bhandari has been admitted to Sant Parmanand Hospital with head and leg injuries. He is out of danger,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said.
The player who masterminded the attack was Anuj Dheda. Both Dheda and one of his accomplices Naveen have been nabbed by police.
“We have arrested Anuj Dheda and his accomplice Naveen from their hideout. Efforts are on to arrest other accomplices,” the DCP said.
The incident, nonetheless, has caused an outrage among the cricketing the fraternity. The likes of Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag have condemned the attack and have asked for strict actions for the miscreants. Rajat Sharma, the president of DDCA, has already said that the attackers will not be spared.
“We are trying to procure all details of the incident,” Sharma told PTI. “As far as I have come to know, it is regarding one disgruntled player, who didn’t make it to the probables list for the National Under-23 tournament. The SHO [Station House Officer] from the local police station has reached the ground, and I have personally spoken to the Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik. The guilty will not go unpunished. I promise exemplary action against whoever is found involved in this misdeed. We will register an FIR.”
