The IOA will investigate allegations of sexual harassment against Indian ice hockey player Bholanath Singh

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has set up a four-member independent commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of sexual harassment leveled against Hockey India secretary Bhola Nath Singh by former Indian women’s hockey captain Asunta Lakra.

The committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Deepa Sharma, was formed on the directive of the sports ministry. Other members of the panel include former athlete Vandana Rao, former Indian women’s hockey captain Mamta Kharb and lawyer Sitwat Nabi.

Lakra, who is also a member of Hockey India’s executive board, accused Singh of threats and harassment after she raised concerns about the alleged sexual harassment of girls in Jharkhand by local coach Sudhir Golla.

The Sports Ministry subsequently asked the IOA to form an independent panel to look into Lakra’s allegations.

In a letter to Hockey India, IOA president PT Usha said the national federation will be responsible for all required payments related to the committee, including its members’ fees, travel, accommodation and incidentals.

Hockey India has also been asked to fully cooperate with the inquiry and provide all relevant documents and information to the panel.

“Hockey India is also requested to extend its full cooperation to the committee and ensure that all relevant documents, information and other assistance that may be required are made available to the committee in a timely manner,” Usha said in her letter.

LAKRA-HOCKEY INDIA CONTROVERSY

The allegations come amid an escalating dispute between Lakra and Hockey India.

The federation’s ethics committee issued a show-cause notice to Lakra and opened an investigation against her after Jharkhand young player Albela Rani Toppo accused the former captain of threats and intimidation.

Toppo claimed that Lakra tried to intimidate her and threatened to end her career, although the specific reasons for the alleged threats were not released.

Lakra rejected the accusations and described the ethics commission’s action against her as “continued intimidation and retaliation.”

She subsequently approached Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviy seeking his intervention to stop the ethics commission’s proceedings against her.

Following the escalation of the dispute and Lakra’s allegations against Singh, the Sports Ministry directed the IOA to set up an independent committee.

The newly formed commission will now examine the allegations and related material as part of its investigation.

– The end

Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

09 Sep 2026 10:58 IST