Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 26 (IANS) Stung by allegations of sexual harassment in women’s hockey, the sports ministry on Monday decided to launch its own probe committee.
The ministry set up the internal committee after a player Ranjitha Devi alleged that she was sexually harassed by women’s hockey coach Maharaj Kishan Kaushik.

The coach has resigned and Hockey India (HI) had forwarded the findings of its five-member inquiry committee to Delhi Police.

“The Ministry has issued an order to the Ministry’s Sexual Harassment Committee to inquire into the recent allegations against Kaushik. The committee will follow due procedure laid down by honourable Supreme Court in the Vishakha case,” a statement from the ministry said.

The ministry said that the committee will also take into account the report of the HI’s inquiry committee.

“The report of the inquiry committee, set up by HI, which is yet to be received by the ministry will also be taken into consideration by the committee,” the statement said.

Meanwhile the ministry said that weightlifting coach Ramesh Malhotra, who was also accused of sexual harassment by Sydney Olympic bronze medallist Karnam Malleswari, will be withdrawn from the national camp at NIS Patiala.

“The Ministry has issued instruction for withdrawing coach Malhotra from national camp for weightlifting. With a view to revamp and strengthen coaching administration in SAI, the secretary SAI has been made in-charge,” the ministry statement said.

Olympics bronze medallist Malleswari had alleged that Malhotra had been sexually harassing young lifters for more than a decade now. Malhotra was suspended Saturday by the Indian Weightlifting Federation.