IOA to probe sexual harassment allegations against Hockey India's Bholanath Singh

The Indian Olympic Association has formed an independent four-member panel to investigate sexual harassment allegations made against Hockey India secretary Bholanath Singh. The allegations were levelled by Asunta Lakra.

In Short

• Asunta Lakra had levelled serious allegations against Bholanath Singh
• Hockey India had initially served Asunta Lakra a showcause notice
• IOA has formed a 4-member committee to probe the sexual harassment allegations

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has constituted a four-member independent inquiry committee to investigate sexual harassment allegations levelled against Hockey India secretary Bhola Nath Singh by former India women's hockey captain Asunta Lakra.

The committee, headed by retired High Court judge Deepa Sharma, was formed following a directive from the Sports Ministry. Former track-and-field athlete Vandana Rao, former India women's hockey captain Mamta Kharb and lawyer Sitwat Nabi are the other members of the panel.

Lakra, who is also a member of Hockey India's Executive Board, had accused Singh of threatening and harassing her after she raised concerns over the alleged sexual harassment of girls in Jharkhand by local coach Sudhir Golla.

The Sports Ministry subsequently asked the IOA to constitute an independent panel to examine Lakra's allegations.

In a letter to Hockey India, IOA president PT Usha said the national federation would be responsible for all requisite payments related to the committee, including its members' honorarium, travel, accommodation and incidental expenses.

Hockey India has also been asked to fully cooperate with the inquiry and provide the panel with all relevant documents and information.

"Hockey India is also requested to extend its full cooperation to the committee and to ensure that all relevant documents, information and such other assistance as may be required is made available to the committee in a timely manner," Usha said in her letter.

LAKRA-HOCKEY INDIA DISPUTE

The allegations come amid an escalating dispute between Lakra and Hockey India.

The federation's ethics committee had issued a show-cause notice to Lakra and launched an inquiry against her after young Jharkhand player Albela Rani Toppo accused the former captain of threatening and intimidating her.

Toppo had alleged that Lakra tried to intimidate her and threatened to end her career, although the specific reasons for the alleged threats were not disclosed.

Lakra rejected the allegations and described the ethics committee's action against her as "continued intimidation and retaliation".

She subsequently approached Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, seeking his intervention to stop the ethics committee proceedings against her.

The Sports Ministry's directive to the IOA to set up an independent committee followed the escalation of the dispute and Lakra's allegations against Singh.

The newly constituted panel will now examine the allegations and related material as part of its inquiry.

- Ends