Chandigarh:
Legendary athlete, 'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh on Monday found himself in the middle of an unsavoury controversy after he was named in a FIR registered by the Chandigarh police following a brawl among high-profile members of the upscale Chandigarh Golf Club.
The brawl took place on Saturday afternoon at the golf club with two members, Congress legislator Randeep Singh Nabha and Lt.Col. (retd.) Vijay Singh Sandhu, allegedly getting into a physical fight with golf sticks.
While Mr Sandhu sustained injuries near his eye and forehead, Mr Nabha was hit on the leg and back. Both landed up in hospital with Mr Sandhu getting stitches. Both sides lodged police cases against each other for assault and intimidation.
The fight took place following arguments between two groups of golfers over playing on the course.
Milkha Singh, 77, whose son Jeev Milkha Singh is an international golfer and one of the top golfing icons in the country, said on Monday that he was shocked to learn that he had been named in the first information report (FIR).
"I and former Punjab chief secretary R.S. Mann were not involved in the clash. In fact, we tried to stop both sides from getting into a physical fight. I am shocked that my name has been included in the FIR," Milkha Singh said in Chandigarh.
But he acknowledged that he was part of the group of golfers that included Mr Nabha.
Police booked Mr Nabha and his partners, Milkha Singh and S.S. Lehal, a former captain of the golf course. A counter case was also registered against Mr Sandhu.
The Golf Club management on Sunday suspended Mr Nabha, Mr Lehal and Mr Sandhu from the club.
The Chandigarh golf club is the home ground of top players like Jeev Milkha Singh and Irina Brar.