M A I N   N E W S

Milkha among 5 booked for Golf Club fracas
Tribune News Service

The fight occurred between Vijay Singh Sandhu and Randeep. Why should the police drag us in? We are not guilty and have informed the club to mark an inquiry and take action accordingly. I was only present there and in fact tried to help sort out the scuffle. — Milkha Singh, former Olympian

Chandigarh, February 17
Former athlete Milkha Singh along with four others has been booked in connection with Saturday’s brawl at the Chandigarh Golf Club.

Milkha and three others, including former Punjab Chief Secretary RS Mann, Congress MLA from Nabha Randeep Singh and former captain of Golf Club SS Laihal, were party to a violent scuffle with Lt Col (retd) Vijay Singh Sandhu, who in turn attacked them with golf clubs and hurled abuses during the scuffle.

Acting on a complaint from both sides, the Chandigarh Police has registered a cross-case of causing hurt and intimidation against five persons, including Milkha Singh, a charge that he vehemently denies.

Milkha Singh today said he had been unnecessarily dragged into the controversy as he was only a witness to the attack, which in fact took place between Sandhu and Randeep.

The incident occurred during a golf match yesterday when Milkha Singh, RS Mann, SS Laihal and Randeep were playing a four-ball match at the greens, while Lt Col (retd) Vijay Singh Sandhu along with lawyer Harsimrat Sethi and Ajay Kanwar were playing a three-ball game.

Eyewitnesses said the scuffle broke out after Sandhu got infuriated over slow play by the other group.

“Sandhu initially requested the other group twice to speed up as they had to wait because of their slow play. Sandhu approached Milkha’s four-ball for the third time and abused the MLA. As Laihal intervened, Sandhu hit him with a club, which broke. Laihal left the scene but Sandhu took out another club from his bag and attacked Randeep. The MLA retaliated with his club leading to a violent scuffle,” said an investigating officer.

Sandhu received an injury near his eye, while Randeep received bruises on his body as a result of the brawl.

The police later arrived at the scene and conducted a medical examination of Sandhu and Randeep. Complaints were received from both sides and cross-cases were registered at the Sector 26 police station.