The Bengaluru Police filed a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case towards the star Indian hockey participant Varun Kumar on Monday, February 5, for allegedly raping a minor. The police additionally filed sections 376 (rape) and 420 towards the Arjuna Award-winning defender.  

According to a report from the PTI, the 22-year-old lady alleged that the participant repeatedly raped her by promising to marry her when she was 17. The criticism additionally reveals that she established contact with the nationwide workforce participant in 2018 by way of Instagram.

Bengaluru Police stated that they’ve filed the POCSO act, sections 376 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code towards Varun Kumar, who’s at present with the nationwide workforce in Bhubaneshwar for the preparations of the FIH Pro League. 

“Based on the complaint received from the woman, we have registered a case on Monday against the Hockey player under appropriate section of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and sections 376 (rape) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code,” the Bengaluru Police stated in an announcement.

The report additionally provides that the participant made bodily contact with the woman regardless of understanding that she was a minor in 2019. The accused stated that Varun promised her to marry however ultimately distanced himself and stopped replying to her calls and messages. 

“She accused him of getting physical with her on several occasions over the five-year long relationship she shared with him on the pretext of marriage,” an FIR stated.

Varun, 28, was a part of the nationwide workforce that received the Gold medal within the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and the Silver within the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Varun was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 2021 for his contribution to the Indian hockey workforce.

Born in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, Varun made his senior debut for India in 2017 and since then has made 142 appearances for the nationwide workforce scoring 40 objectives.

Inputs from PTI