Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) chairman of senior selection committee Amit Bhandari was attacked in New Delhi’s Kashmere Gate area on Monday afternoon at the St Stephen’s Ground, where the trials of the Under-23 team were going on. The attackers were suspected to be U-23 aspirants who reportedly weren’t selected in the team.
Acorrding to the recent reports, Bhandari is reportedly admitted in the Sant Parmanand Hospital after receiving injuries on his head and legs. It has also been known that he is out of danger. However, he was attacked with iron rods and hockey sticks at the trials before being rushed to a hospital by his co-selector Sukhvinder Singh. The goons fled the spot before the police could arrive.
The incident took place in north Delhi area at around 1 pm during trials for the Under-23 Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
As per the quotes in ANI, talking about the same, a DDCA official said, “Around 1 pm, two-three players came to him (Bhandari) and started hitting him with a bat on his head. He was bleeding and was rushed to the hospital.”
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On the other hand, DCP, Nupur Prasad said, “The selection committee was selecting players for Mushtaq Ali Trophy selection. One rejected player came to him and questioned why he was not selected. Then he started beating him (Bhandari). First he used his hands, then used a stick to attack. Let us wait what doctors have to say. We have not got any statement. Once we get it, we will be clear on the facts.”
Bhandari got seven stitches for cuts on his legs and head.
Reacting to the assault on DDCA chairman of selectors Bhandari, DDCA president Rajat Sharma on Monday promised strict action against the culprits. Narrating the chronology of 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.
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Sharma explained, “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. And then 10-12 people came jumping over a wall and attacked Bhandari. Police have taken his statement, I was with him in the hospital. He was very seriously hit and there are stitches on his head.”
Asked about his current state, Sharma said the DDCA has also alerted the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in case of further medical emergency.
When asked about the help from DDCA to Bhandari, Sharma replied, He is currently stable and under observation. We have alerted AIIMS, just in case he needs further medical attention. I assured him of all help, medical help and have also spoken personally with the Delhi Police officials to take the strictest possible action.”
