# Hockey India president files police complaint, former players protest

2026-09-26T02:46:21+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey has filed a complaint with Delhi Police against officials of the federation, alleging criminal breach of trust, theft, endangerment of life and wrongful abandonment. The complaint names former executive director Cdr RK Srivastava, finance manager Subodh Kumar, director Bhushan Kumar and driver Harminder Singh. The DCP South Delhi office confirmed receiving the complaint but said no FIR has been registered yet. Tirkey's complaint states that on September 22, an official vehicle provided to him was abruptly recalled by the federation without returning his personal belongings, including a bag with essential medicines. His repeated calls to HI officials went unanswered. The complaint seeks immediate recovery of his assets and documents. The dispute adds to the ongoing power struggle between Tirkey and secretary general Bhola Nath Singh over administrative decisions. Meanwhile, a group of former players led by ex-India captain Asunta Lakra staged a protest outside the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium demanding a sports ministry-backed ad-hoc committee to run the federation until the next election, which Bhola Nath says is scheduled for November 7.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Pro-government outlets frame the story as a straightforward police complaint by a sports administrator, while government-critical coverage highlights the protest by former players and calls for an ad-hoc committee, implying the government should intervene. The former downplays the governance crisis, the latter amplifies it. The Hindu gives the protest prominent space and includes specific demands, whereas Times of India leads with the complaint. The common ground is that both sides agree the election is set for November 7, which will be the first concrete test of whether the dispute is resolved or deepens.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/top-stories/hockey-india-row-escalates-dilip-tirkey-files-delhi-police-complaint-over-criminal-breach-of-trust-theft/articleshow/134480953.cms>
  Focuses on protest details and demands, no editorialising
- thehindu.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehindu.com/sport/hockey/hockey-former-players-back-tirkey-call-for-reform-in-hi/article71508990.ece>
  Straight report on police complaint, minimal framing
- timesnownews.com (sensationalist) <https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/hockey-indias-bitter-power-struggle-president-tirkey-alleges-life-endangerment-article-156225409>
  Uses 'bitter power struggle' and 'flashpoint' in headline
- thehindu.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehindu.com/sport/hockey/tirkey-lodges-police-complaint-against-hi-officials-and-staff/article71508819.ece>
  Straight report on police complaint, minimal framing
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/top-stories/ex-india-captain-asunta-lakra-leads-protest-against-hockey-india-officials/articleshow/134495689.cms>
  Focuses on protest details and demands, no editorialising

Tags: Asian Games, Bhola Nath Singh, Delhi Police, Dilip Tirkey, Hockey India
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