Zafar Iqbal finds hockey player’s allegations weak

NEW DELHI: Former India captain Zafar Iqbal, a member of the Hockey India (HI) committee looking into charges of sexual harassment against national women’s coach Maharaj Kishan Kaushik, Wednesday found the allegations against the Olympian weak and conspiratorial, looking at their timing.

Zafar said Ranjitha Devi, who Tuesday charged Kaushik of harassment with 30 of her fellow-players signing the letter, could not come out with cogent replies when questioned. Madhu Yadav, the manager of the team, was also present.

“The case is not strong. The girl’s complaints were dicey. We have heard both the parties and we will decide on the outcome once we have the replies from both the parties. Kaushik has been the national coach of India since 1991 and many of us have played with him,” Zafar told reporters after a meeting of the committee.

“I cannot rule out conspiracy as it is clashing with the (HI) elections. The girl says this is happening from the past six months, if so why is she coming out now? Also, when I asked whether she faced any physical harassment like touching, she denied it,” Zafar said.

The five-member committee of Rajiv Mehta (chairman), Olympians Ajit Pal Singh and Zafar and Sudharsan Pathak, met both Kaushik and Ranjitha Wednesday afternoon to record their versions.

Kaushik and Ranjitha have been asked to make written submissions Thursday. These, along with the committee’s findings, will be sent to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for action Friday.

Pathak also concurred with Zafar.

“Kaushik has been deputed for his work by the government of India. He was doing well. There are no allegations against him in the last 10 years. The committee will look into the matter. We also need to verify the girl’s claims as this has happened for the first time in Indian hockey,” said Pathak.

HI secretary general Narinder Batra also said that the other girls in the team have denied facing a similiar incident.

“I spoke to the captain and she said the rest of the girls have not faced any such incident. But we want a free and a fair trial and I do not want to mix the elections with the girl’s complaint,” he said.

“We heard both the parties who have been asked to submit their replies by tomorrow (Thursday). HI will then send their recommendations to the Sports Authority of India Friday as both Kaushik and the videographer are the employees of SAI. Kaushik has resigned willingly and since it was addressed to the president, I forwarded it to the president,” he said.

HI also sacked the videographer, M. Basavaraja, after photographs of him with a prostitute during an overseas tour, surfaced in the media.

The team left for Asian Champions Trophy in Busan, South Korea, Wednesday evening and Batra said he has spoken to the girls.

“I have spoken to the team and have tried to boost them before the Championships. They have promised to do well,” he said.