Sports Ministry asks Hockey India to investigate former captain Asunto Lakra’s complaint against Bhol and Goll

Kolkata: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has asked Hockey India to take former Indian Hockey captain and executive board member Asunta Lakra’s complaint of alleged sexual harassment, intimidation and retaliation to the federation’s 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 to seek an independent probe into what she described as “institutional protection of sexual harassment” and harassment of sportswomen.In a letter dated July 13 to Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, the GoI forwarded Lakra’s July 10 email and requested that the allegations be reviewed under the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Remediation) Act, 2013.“I am directed to forward an email dated 07/10/2026 that I received from Ms. Asunta Lakra… She requested the establishment of an independent investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, institutional intimidation and related issues involving female athletes,” the letter reads.The ministry further requested that the matters raised by Lakra be referred to the ICC HI for “its consideration and appropriate action” and requested that the outcome of the proceedings be communicated to the ministry.Reacting to the development, a Hockey India source told TOI, “We have received the communication from the ministry and will take all necessary steps as per the government’s instructions.”In her email, Lakra wrote that after informing the Jharkhand government about allegations of sexual harassment against former Eklavya Hockey Center coach Sudhir Goll, “Indian Hockey General Secretary and Hockey Jharkhand President Mr. Bholanath Singh called me and threatened to report the matter to the authorities.”She also called for an independent investigation into what she argued were institutional protections extended to individuals accused of sexual harassment and retaliation against those who raised such issues.The ministry’s intervention comes at a time when HI is facing multiple allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct by its coaches and officials.Earlier this year, allegations surfaced against a senior HI official who was accused of demanding sexual favors from female referees in exchange for international assignments. During the 2025 Hockey India League, the coach was asked to leave the tournament following allegations of misconduct involving female players. Former Indian women’s team head coach Harendra Singh and junior team coach were also relieved of their duties following separate complaints.Last week, Lakra told TOI that Singh had warned her to “stay within her bounds” after she questioned the alleged protection given to Goll by Hockey Jharkhand. She also submitted a letter signed by 31 national and international hockey players to Jharkhand’s Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Arts and Culture, alleging that Golla had sexually harassed players, used casteist slurs and enjoyed protection from senior officials of Hockey Jharkhand.When contacted by TOI earlier, Singh denied Lakra’s allegations. “Why should I threaten her? I have known her since 2014. These are wrong and baseless,” he said. Golla also denied all allegations against him, calling them “baseless” and demanding a fair investigation.