Hockey India on Friday adopted a tough stance, asking for a “police inquiry” against women’s hockey coach Maharaj Krishan Kaushik after complaints of sexual harassment surfaced against him.
Twenty-year-old Ranjita Devi from Manipur had accused the 55-year-old coach of misconduct during the team’s training camps and tournaments.
In a parallel development, the Weightlifting Federation of India formed a three-member committee to probe charges of sexual harassment of junior lifters by an unnamed coach, as alleged by Sydney Olympics bronze medallist Karnam Malleswari.
In the first action of its kind, Hockey India referred the matter to the government of India and the Delhi police commissioner.
HI general secretary Narinder Batra said the decision was taken after a “written complaint was submitted by Ranjita on July 21”. Said Mr Batra, “Hockey India feels the written version of Ranjita Devi was highly credible and it had some specific charges. In view of the Supreme Court judgment in the Vishakha case regarding sexual harassment at the workplace, which relates to Section 354 of the IPC, we are marking a copy to the Delhi police commissioner for taking suo moto notice so that this can be taken to its logical conclusion.” He added: “So we have given our recommendations and forwarded a copy to the police.”
Hockey India’s decision could have severe repercussions for Mr Kaushik, who may find himself in a legal tangle. Asked if Ranjita had provided any concrete evidence against Mr Kaushik, Mr Batra said “the player’s six-page reply was credible enough”.
“If a woman gives a written complaint, it has to be taken seriously, as per the Supreme Court. It has to be taken at face value,” he said. Mr Kaushik, on his part, refused to comment, but sources close to him indicated that the 55-year-old had begun to explore legal options to clear his name.