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A minor hockey player was allegedly raped by a 30-year-old coach who was training players for National Games. The state-level hockey coach was arrested in Haridwar on Sunday for raping a 16-year-old female player during a selection camp of the state team. According to the police, the coach, named Bhanu Prakash, aged 37, belongs to Tanakpur in Champawat. He was the assistant coach of the senior men’s team, and was arrested from the selection camp for the upcoming 38th National Games in Dehradun.
He was questioned after the girl’s father lodged a complaint against him, and soon after the allegations made by the player, his contract was terminated. Not only this, but all his certificates provided to him by the authorities were also taken back. Notably, National-level competitions are to be organised in Roshanabad in the coming days as a part of the National Games, scheduled from January 28 to February 14.
He has committed a crime which is unpardonable: State Sports Minister Rekha Arya
State Sports Minister Rekha Arya spoke about the case and said, “He has committed a crime which is unpardonable. It calls for drastic action.” She added, "We're standing with the survivor. A letter was sent to the Sports Authority of India to suspend the accused's coaching certificate and a public notice was issued to not appoint him as coach elsewhere."
SHO of SIDCUL police station, Manohar Bhandari, told TOI, "Around 30 girls were staying in a hotel along with three coaches for the hockey selection camp since the past month in Roshnabad area of Haridwar. Sunday was the camp's final day, and it was then that the coach lured the player to his room and raped her. She narrated her ordeal to a local coach in Rishikesh over phone and the latter informed her parents who reached Haridwar and approached police. The traumatised player's condition was initially not good and she was hospitalised. A medical examination was also done. Further investigations are on."
