![\"Sports](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-132395308,imgsize-428528,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/vbn-44.jpg\" "\\"Asunta")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nKolkata: The ministry of youth affairs & sports has asked Hockey India to place former India women\u2019s hockey captain and executive board member Asunta Lakra\u2019s complaint alleging sexual harassment, intimidation and retaliation before the federation\u2019s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and conduct an independent inquiry.The directive comes just days after Lakra wrote to Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and TOPS officials, seeking an independent inquiry into what she described as the \u201cinstitutional protection of sexual harassment\u201d and the victimisation of women athletes.In a letter dated July 13, addressed to Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, a director to the govt of India forwarded Lakra\u2019s July 10 email and requested that the allegations be examined under the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.\u201cI am directed to forward the email dated 10.07.2026 received from Ms. Asunta Lakra… She has requested the constitution of an independent enquiry into allegations of sexual harassment, institutional intimidation and related issues concerning women athletes,\u201d the letter states.The ministry further requested that the issues raised by Lakra be placed before HI\u2019s ICC for \u201cits consideration and appropriate action\u201d and asked that the outcome of the proceedings be shared with the ministry.Reacting to the development, a Hockey India source told TOI, \u201cWe have received the communication from the ministry and will take all necessary steps in accordance with the government\u2019s directions.\u201dIn her email, Lakra wrote that after informing the Jharkhand government about allegations of sexual harassment against former Eklavya Hockey Centre coach Sudhir Golla, \u201cHockey India secretary general and Hockey Jharkhand president Mr. Bholanath Singh telephoned me and threatened me for reporting the matter to the authorities.\u201dShe also sought an independent inquiry into what she alleged was institutional protection being extended to individuals accused of sexual harassment and retaliation against those who raised such issues.The ministry\u2019s intervention comes at a time when HI has been grappling with multiple allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct involving its coaches and officials.Earlier this year, allegations surfaced against a senior HI official accused of seeking sexual favours from women umpires in return for international assignments. During the 2025 Hockey India League, a coach was asked to leave the tournament following allegations of misconduct involving women players. Former India women\u2019s team chief coach Harendra Singh and a junior team coach were also relieved of their duties following separate complaints.Last week, Lakra told TOI that Singh had warned her to \u201cstay within her limits\u201d after she questioned the alleged protection being extended to Golla by Hockey Jharkhand. She had also submitted a letter signed by 31 national and international hockey players to Jharkhand\u2019s Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs & Art & Culture, alleging that Golla sexually harassed players, used casteist slurs and enjoyed the protection of senior Hockey Jharkhand officials.When contacted by TOI earlier, Singh denied Lakra\u2019s allegations. \u201cWhy should I threaten her? I have known her since 2014. These are wrong and baseless,\u201d he had said. Golla has also denied all the allegations against him, calling them \u201cbaseless\u201d and demanded a fair inquiry.<\/div>\n