Dehradun: Haridwar police, on Monday, arrested a 37-year-old state-level hockey coach for allegedly raping a 16-year-old player during a selection camp of the state hockey team to participate in upcoming 38th National Games in Uttarakhand.
This minor hockey player told the police that the hockey coach allegedly raped her at the National Games preparatory camp built at Roshanabad area which is 12 km away from Haridwar. Following the player’s allegations, the coach’s contract was terminated, and SSP Haridwar Pramendra Dobhal directed Circle Officer Juhi Manral to supervise the investigation.
A case has been registered against the accused
According to the police, the accused Bhanu Prakash who belongs to Tanakpur in Champawat district, was the coach of the senior men’s team. Following the allegations made by the minor player, the state government terminated the coach’s contract and directed officials to take back all the certificates given to him by sports authorities. SSP Dobhal said, “The accused has been arrested and a case has been registered against him under section 64(2) (rape) and relevant sections of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) at SIDCUL police station.
Terminated all the contract of the coach with immediate effect
On this, state’s sports minister Rekha Arya said, “I condemn this heinous act and we will support the survivor. Along with this, I will ensure the safety of all female players at preparation camps as well as during the National Games sports events.” Arya also met the family members of this minor athlete in Haridwar on Monday evening. She has terminated all the contracts of the coach with immediate effect and directed the sports department to write to all the organisations and institutions to revoke the certificates issued in the name of the accused. While meeting with the family members of the athlete, Rekha Arya assured that a public notification will also be issued in this matter so that the accused doesn’t get a job anywhere in future.
The 38th national games are scheduled to be held in Uttarakhand from 28 January to 14 February. The venues for National Games have been decided in six places such as Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Tehri, Haldwani and Rudrapur. Thirty-six games will be included in this mega sports event along with 32 core games and four demonstration sports.
