Sports ministry seeks investigation by Hockey India on former captain Asunta Lakra’s complaint against Bhola, Golla | Hockey News

Kolkata: The Ministry of Youth affairs & Sports has asked Hockey India to place former Indian women’s hockey captain and executive board member Asunta Lakra who has accused of sexual harassment, intimidation and retaliation before the federation’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and conduct an independent investigation.The directive comes just days after Lakra wrote to Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and TOPS officials, demanding an independent probe into what he described as “institutional protection of sexual harassment” and the victimization of female athletes.In a letter dated July 13, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey pointed out that a director of the Indian government sent Lakra’s email on July 10 and requested that the allegations be investigated under the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.“I am instructed to forward the email dated 10.07.2026 received from Ms. Asunta Lakra… She requested the constitution of an independent inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment, institutional intimidation and related issues regarding female athletes,” the letter said.The ministry further requested that the issues raised by Lakra be placed before the ICC in HI for “consideration and appropriate action” and requested that the outcome of the proceedings be shared with 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 directions.”In his email, Lakra alleged that after informing the Jharkhand government about allegations of sexual harassment against former Eklavya Hockey Center coach Sudhir Golla, HI secretary general and Hockey Jharkhand president Bhola Nath Singh threatened him for speaking out.He also called for an independent inquiry into what he says are institutional protections given to individuals accused of sexual harassment and retaliation against those who raise such issues.The ministry’s intervention comes at a time when HI is grappling with several allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct involving its coaches and officials.Earlier this year, allegations surfaced against a senior HI official who was accused of soliciting sexual favors from female umpires in exchange for international assignments. During the 2025 Hockey India League, a coach was asked to leave the tournament following allegations of misconduct involving women players. Former India women’s team chief coach Harendra Singh and a junior team coach were also removed from their posts following separate complaints.Last week, Lakra told TOI that Singh had warned him to “stay within his limits” after he questioned the alleged protection given to Golla by Hockey Jharkhand. He also submitted a letter signed by 31 national and international hockey players to Jharkhand’s Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs & Art & Culture, alleging that Golla sexually harassed players, used casteist slurs and was happy to protect senior officials of Hockey Jharkhand.When contacted by TOI earlier, Singh denied Lakra’s allegations. “Why should I threaten him? I know him since 2014. These are false and baseless,” he said. Golla also denied all the allegations against him, calling them “baseless” and demanding a fair investigation.