Olympic rower Dattu Bhokanal booked after wife alleges harassment, cheating

Senior Police Inspector SY Bijli told ANI, "Bhokanal's wife alleged that they got married and booked a marriage hall to declare it to their family, but he didn't arrive. She also lost her money."

The police have booked a case under Sections 498 A (husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code.

According to the complaint filed by the wife, Asha Dattu Bhokanal (26), the Indian rower harassed her physically and mentally for nearly 15 months between December 22, 2017, and March 3 this year.

Asha's family claims to have made wedding preparations twice, but Bhokanal backed-out last minute each time.

When Asha questioned him about it, Bhokanal allegedly threatened to commit suicide by consuming poison.

Asha, a police constable with Nashik Rural police, says she met Bhokanal at a felicitation ceremony in 2015 and fell in love. They secretly married at a Pune temple in December'17, she said. The two had then decided to have a formal ceremony.

Bhokanal's family maintains they know nothing about the marriage. Speaking to TOI, his lawyer said, "My client will be moving court."

Bhokanal hails from the village of Talegaon in Chandvad tehsil of Nashik. He rose to prominence when he became the only Indian rower to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

He also bagged a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

Additionally, in 2014, he won two gold medals at the National Rowing Championship, where he represented the armed forces.