New Delhi, July 26: Suspended coach Ramesh Malhotra on Monday maintained that he never “misbehaved” with women weightlifters during his career and is confident of being “absolved” of sexual harassment charges by the IWF inquiry committee.
Karnam Malleswari had alleged that Malhotra had been sexually harassing lifters for many years but the coach said the charges were “false” and aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
“I have not misbehaved with any woman lifter in my career as a weightlifting coach. I treat all of them as my children,” Malhotra said.
“The allegations levelled are false. Truth will come out after the inquiry committee probe. I am confident that I would be absolved of the charges,” he said.
He, however, admitted that an anonymous letter was sent to SAI some 10 years ago alleging that he “was behaving inappropriately” with a woman lifter.
“I think around 10 years ago I don’t know which year, I was accused of behaving inappropriately with a lifter. Protima Kumari was asked to leave the camp and she stayed at my residence for three months to train under me.
“I did it after my wife and mother agreed to it. But some people took it in the wrong way. What can I do?” he asked.
Malhotra, who was serving as coach of the core group lifters of the Commonwealth Games at NIS Patiala before his suspension pending an inquiry, said the “false” charges have dented the chances of his winning this year’s Dronacharya award. “I have coached many top lifters who have won laurels for the country for so many years. But now I feel I am nothing after Malleswari made the allegations,” he said.