New Delhi: Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) Chief selector Amit Bhandari was, here on Monday, assaulted by an aspirant and his 14 other accomplices after he was not selected for a cricket tournament, a senior police officer said, adding the accused has been arrested.
“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 incident occurred around 1.30 p.m. at the St. Stephen’s Ground in north Delhi when one Shukhwinder Singh, accomplice of Bhandari informed police that a group of 10-15 youths assaulted the former India pacer with sticks and cricket bats.
The DDCA chief selector, chairperson of Syed Mushtaq Ali T-20 tournament for Delhi Under-23 team, said in a statement that he was attacked by one Anuj Dheda and his other 14 accomplices after he did not select him, the police officer said. “We have arrested Anuj Dheda and his accomplice Naveen from their hideout. Efforts are on to arrest other accomplices,” the DCP said. Earlier, speaking to IANS, DDCA President Rajat Sharma promised strict action against the culprits.
Narrating the incident to IANS, Sharma said the assault was carried out by goons hired by a disgruntled player, whose name was missing from the list of probables. “He (Bhandari) was watching this (Syed Mushtaq Ali) match at Stephen’s Ground, and other selectors were also there. One player came up to him and asked why he wasn’t selected and Bhandari told him that the selection was made purely on the basis of merit,” Sharma said. “And then 10-12 people came jumping over a wall and attacked Bhandari.”
Sharma said the DDCA has also alerted the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in case of further medical emergency. “He is currently stable and under observation. We have alerted AIIMS, just in case he needs further medical attention,” the DDCA President said.
Assuring all help to Bhandari, Sharma, also the editor-in-chief of India TV news channel, said: “He is obviously traumatised and shaken. I assured him of all help and have spoken personally to the Delhi Police officials to take the strictest possible action.” Bhandari also runs a cricket academy.