Patiala, July 25: Suspended weightlifting coach Ramesh Malhotra today denied charges of sexual harassment levelled against him by Olympic bronze medallist Karnam Malleswari, saying the allegations are “false and malicious”.
The Sports Authority of India coach, who was nominated by the Indian Weightlifting Federation for this year’s Dronacharya award, was suspended yesterday after Malleswari alleged that he harassed junior lifters for over a decade.
Speaking to PTI before leaving for Delhi this afternoon, Malhotra said the IWF should ask the girls training under him to find out the truth.
“She (Malleswari) has stained my 26-year-old career in sports coaching. I will not let this put me down. I will battle for my reputation,” he said.
“Malleswari thinks she can use her international fame to corner me on my reputation. I will prove her wrong,” he added.
–Agencies