Panel demands probe

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

The enquiry panel set up by Hockey India (HI) to look into the allegations of sexual harassment against women’s National Coach M.K. Kaushik has recommended that he, along with videographer Basavraj, may not be associated with hockey in future.

The panel, headed by Rajiv Mehta and including Olympians Ajitpal Singh and Zafar Iqbal, has also recommended that the sexual harassment charge, which was a serious matter, be probed thoroughly by a competent authority, as per the procedures and guidelines laid down in the Supreme Court judgement on the Vishakha case.

The committee noted that it did not have the mandate to look into the sexual harassment charge since its role was mainly in the nature of a fact-finding body.

Its advice to HI was to refer the matter to the Union Sports Ministry so that a proper, detailed enquiry could be done to follow up on the charges.

The panel that also included Mrs Sudershan Pathak of Hockey Delhi and Anupam Ghulati, received a written complaint from the player (Ranjitha) and a rebuttal from Kaushik.

REITERATING HER CHARGE

Ranjitha reiterated her charge that was made in two separate e-mails sent to HI that the coach had sexually harassed her. The second e-mail from her was supported by a signed page by 31 players in the camp.

Kaushik denied all the charges against him. According to sources, throughout the hearing he was never “defensive” and placed his arguments forcefully. The panel also heard coaches Vasu Thapliyal and Mohammed Khalid Modi. It could not interview any of the other players who are now currently in Korea.

Speaking to the media on Friday, HI Secretary-GeneralNarinder Batra said, “We will study it (report) and put forward our recommendations.” He added he would submit the report to the Sports Ministry on Saturday.

The report contains depositions made by the coach and the player.