Times of India: DCW clarifies on rape complaint against hockey skipper Sardar

New Delhi, June 29 (IANS) The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Wednesday wrote to Hockey India, denying its action on a complaint against Indian Hockey team captain Sardar Singh was in any way linked to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The commission asserted that the action in the case followed a complaint by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Poonam Azad.
The DCW earlier received a rape and assault complaint from a British hockey player against Sardar Singh, a Haryana Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Following this, the commission wrote to Hockey India to seek action against Sardar Singh and to provide information on it.
Hockey India then said the charges against the hockey ace were an outcome of the DCW’s links to the AAP.
“The commission would like to inform you that the personal allegations of political jugglery and linkages with AAP, made against members of the commission, are patently false and malicious,” DCW chief Swati Maliwal said in her letter.

“Your attempt to intimidate the commission office-bearers whilst performing their legitimate statutory duties is severely unbecoming of an organisation entrusted by the government of India with a mandate to promote the national game of hockey in India,” she added.

Extending by another week the time given by the DCW to comply with its earlier directions, Maliwal said certain documents sought by Hockey India regarding the complaint could not be handed over since the matter was sensitive.
“As a responsible organisation at the national level, you are duty-bound to cooperate and provide information to this commission,” she added.