KOCHI: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has suspended PT Paulos, the Asian Games bronze medalist and India’s first Olympic rower who served as a high-level executive at the National Center of Excellence in Alappuzha, and transferred him to its Imphal center following allegations of sexual harassment by an assistant rowing coach.“Paulose, 49, was suspended after the assistant rowing coach lodged a complaint in January this year,” a source told SAI TOI.“After receiving the complaint, the SAI department initiated an investigation against Paulos, which is currently under process,” the source added.“He was shifted to the SAI Imphal center earlier this month to ensure that he cannot intimidate the victim or influence the investigation in any way,” the source said, adding, “appropriate action will be taken based on the results of the investigation.”Details of the charges have not been released. TOI tried to contact Paulos but he was not available for comment.Even as there are growing concerns about the welfare of athletes at SAI centres, the episode brought back memories of the 2015 incident at SAI Alappuzha where four women rowers attempted suicide by consuming a toxic fruit called Othalanga (cerbera odollam) after alleged physical and mental harassment by senior athletes. In that case, a 15-year-old boy died, the others survived. These athletes were allegedly forced to do household chores for their seniors, with the harassment increasing each time they fought back.In a separate incident in January, two female students, aged 18 and 15, were found hanging dead at the SAI hostel in Kollam. Police said preliminary findings point to a suspected suicide. Notes seeking forgiveness from their parents have been reinstated, although further details have not been released.Based on information presented by Parliament, 33 sexual harassment complaints have been reported at SAI over the past 10 years, of which 25 were made against coaches and 8 against administrative staff.CASES OF KERALA
- 2015 (Alappuzha) : Four female rowers consumed toxic fruit after alleged abuse by senior citizens; 15-year-old dies, others survive amid reports of forced labor and harassment.
- January 2026 (Kollam): Two hostel students aged 18 and 15 are found dead in a suspected suicide; notes to parents reinstated, investigation ongoing.
