In a surprising turn of events, renowned hockey player Varun Kumar, honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award, has approached Hockey India urgently requesting leave from the academy. This move comes in the wake of Varun Kumar facing what he claims to be a false and malicious sexual assault case filed against him by a former girlfriend, leading to the registration of an FIR in Bangalore.
Varun Kumar vehemently alleges that the case is an orchestrated attempt to extort money from him and tarnish his reputation. He asserts that the involved party hails from a highly influential police family, with her father having served as a former ACP in the Telangana State Police Services and other family members holding positions in both the police and the Railways. This unique dimension adds complexity to the case.
Expressing deep concerns about the potential impact on his career and personal image, hockey player Varun Kumar stated that the ongoing legal battle has taken a toll on his physical and mental health. Copies of his leave request letter have been forwarded to Graig Fulton, Head Coach of the Indian Men’s National Hockey Team, and Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary of Hockey India.
Varun Kumar finds himself booked on charges of sexual assault and cheating under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The allegations revolve around an incident in 2019 where he is accused of sexually assaulting a minor girl.
According to the complainant, who currently works with an airline, she was undergoing volleyball training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Bengaluru when she first encountered Varun Kumar. They reportedly befriended each other on social media, and Varun insisted on meeting her. However, upon rejecting his plea, she claims to have faced emotional blackmail.
Subsequently, a relationship ensued after their meeting, with the complainant accusing Varun of taking her to Jayanagar in Bengaluru in July 2019, where he allegedly booked a hotel room. The complaint further states that, on the pretext of marriage, Varun had a physical relationship with her despite her being a minor at that time. The girl asserts that this occurred on multiple occasions. In response to the girl’s complaint, a case has been registered against Varun Kumar, and the legal proceedings are expected to unfold in the coming days.
