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Delhi

Former Indian Pacer Bhandari assaulted at U-23 state trials

Bhandari was attacked allegedly with iron rods and hockey sticks at the trials

New Delhi: Led by a rejected player, a group of 10-15 men attacked former Indian cricketer and Delhi and District Cricket Association chairman of senior selection committee Amit Bhandari in Kashmere Gate area on Monday afternoon. Bhandari was brutally thrashed at the St Stephen's ground, where the trials of the Under-23 team were in progress.

The attackers were suspected to be U-23 aspirants who reportedly were not selected in the team. Bhandari was admitted in Sant Parmanand Hospital after receiving injuries on his head, neck and legs.

Bhandari was attacked allegedly with iron rods and hockey sticks at the trials before being rushed to a hospital by his co-selector Sukhvinder Singh.

The attackers fled from the spot before the police could arrive. The incident took place around 1:15 pm during trials for the Under-23 Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

"Amit Bhandari the complainant told that he was the chairperson of Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament for Delhi Under-23 team. At around 1:15 pm on Monday at St Stephen ground where trials were going on, one person Anuj Dheda who was not selected came and asked about his rejection and slapped the complainant and 10-15 more boys came and hit him," said Nupur Prasad, DCP (North).

As the news of the attack spread the Whos Who of Indian Cricket started demanding action aganist the culprits.

"Disgusted to see this happen right in the heart of the Capital. This can't slip under the carpet and I will personally ensure it doesn't. To begin with I am calling for a life ban from all cricket for the player who orchestrated this attack post his non-selection," said Gautam Gambhir, former Indian batsman.

Former Indian Opener Virendra Sehwag too demanded action and said, "The attack on Delhi selector Amit Bhandari for not picking a player is a new low and I am hopeful that stringent action will be taken against the culprit and adequate measures will be taken to avoid such incidents."

DDCA president Rajat Sharma met Bhandari at the hospital and said that guilty will not be spared. "I have personally spoken to the Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik. The guilty will not go unpunished." Rajat Sharma said.

"He is very shaken and it is natural. The doctors have advised that he should be kept under observation for 24 hours as a precautionary measure." Sharma said.

The Delhi Police soon rounded up the accused "On the complaint of Bhandari a case under section 308/506/34 IPC is registered and accused Anuj Dheda and Naveen is apprehended," said Nupur Prasad, DCP North.

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