The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) today banned star forward Gagan Ajit Singh and Daljit Singh Dhillon for assaulting Indian Oil Corporation player Bikramjit Singh during the recent national hockey championships in Hyderabad.The three-month ban for Gagan and six-month ban for Daljit prevents the two players from participating in any recognised tournament both domestic and international, IHF said.The IHF disciplinary committee meted out the punishment after considering the reports of the tournament director, the enquiry committee and the apologies of the two Punjab players. The ban was imposed after the duo barged into the IOC team’s dressing room at the end of their match on March 27 and assaulted Bikramjit with hockey sticks, the IHF said in a press release here.Punjab Police alleges foul playJalandhar: Punjab police alleged a conspiracy against the state players following IHF’s ban on Gagan Ajit Singh.Gagan Ajit himself refused to comment but Punjab Police manager Gurmel Singh alleged the ban was the outcome of a conspiracy hatched by other players against the players from the state.“It is unfortunate that IHF has taken partial action against the Punjab Police star players while not taking any action against the IOC player Bikramjit Singh, who was equally responsible for the brawl at Hyderabad,” he said demanding stern action against the IOC player also.
