New Delhi, July 22: A day after allegations of sexual misconduct against him were made public, the chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team, Maharaj Kishan Kaushik, tendered his resignation to Hockey India.
He had been named, along with other team management staff, in a complaint by India player Ranjitha Devi who alleged that he demanded sexual favours from players and passed lewd remarks.
Kaushik and Ranjitha faced an inquiry panel here on Wednesday. Hockey India secretary Narinder Batra said afterward that coach’s resignation will be forwarded to the organisation’s president, Vidya Stokes.
“Kaushik has withdrawn himself from the team pending investigations. The inquiry panel we have formed met both the parties separately today and sought their explanations. While both the player concerned and Kaushik have given their versions, we will be getting a final written draft on their positions by Thursday. The committee is likely to complete its report by Friday,” Batra said after a day of several meetings.
However, Batra said, since Kaushik and team videographer M Basavaraj were employed by the Sports Authority of India, the inquiry committee would merely forward their report to SAI for further action.
“SAI will be looking into the case of sexual harassment in line with the laws framed and take a decision,” Batra said. SAI suspended Basavaraj today.
Kaushik, who has been with the women’s team for over a decade, said he wouldn’t like to continue until the matter was resolved. “I don’t think I want to be associated with a team where even one girl doubts me. I will not return to coaching,” he said.
Hockey legend Zafar Iqbal, a member of the inquiry panel, said, “I will not pass judgment on anyone but we did have some questions which were not answered satisfactorily.”
Late in the evening, the team left for the Asian Champions Trophy with coaches Vasu Thapaliyal and Mohd Khalid Modi in charge. Madhu Yadav has been named team manager. The players refused to comment on the issue. “We will all talk together to the press, but not now. We have not decided on when we will speak,” senior striker Saba Anjum said.
——–Agencies