DCW notice to police in Sardar Singh sexual assault case

The Delhi Commission of Women on Wednesday sent a legal notice to the Delhi police, seeking an explanation on why has an FIR been registered in the Sardar Singh case. The notice, dated June 22 was sent to DCP New Delhi District, Jatin Narwal.

A British-Indian woman, who was part of the National British Hockey team, had alleged that she was married to the captain of the Indian hockey team, and that he has sexually assaulted her on different occasions. Singh, has however, refuted the allegations. The victim has also alleged that Hockey India had also booked plane tickets for her on more than one occasion.

She had filed a case in Ludhiana, which was turned down as the Punjab police said it did not come under their jurisdiction.

DCW chief Swati Maliwal, in her notice, wrote: "The Commission has been informed that despite a complaint being lodged at P.S Chanakyapuri vide DD No 34B dated 14/06/2016, no FIR has been registered till date. The Commission views this seriously as it is a contravention of a judgment by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the case of Lalita Kumari Vs. Govt. of UP and Ors, (AIR 2014 SC 187) wherein it was held that the registration of FIR is mandatory under Section 154 CrPC, if the information discloses commission of a cognizable offence and no preliminary inquiry is permissible in such a situation."

In the note, Maliwal states that a male ACP interrogated the complainant about "physical relations with the accused", and not a lady officer. It further states that the victim was made to Go to the police station at 9pm on the 16th of June, 2016 and was made to stay in the police station till close to midnight. "The complainant was contacted by a lady officer only on the 20th of June, 2016 – seven days after the receipt of the complaint," the note states.

The DCW has now asked the police for an explanation of why the FIR was not filed even eight days after the complaint, within 48 hours, failing which they will take further action.

The DCW had earlier sent a notice to SHO, Chanakya Puri to find out why an FIR was not registered. A legal notice was sent to Hockey India, too, to explain why was Sardar Singh not asked to quit despite such serious allegation. Hockey India has sought ten weeks for a reply.

"The Hockey India simply wants to save Sardar till the Rio Olympics. It is apparent," said the victim.