Women's hockey coach Kaushik quits after sexual harassment charges

File photo of the Indian Women's Hockey team.

Former Olympian M K Kaushik today resigned as the national women's hockey coach, a day after a member of the team levelled allegations of sexual harassment against him, but he insisted that he was innocent and that the charges were aimed at tarnishing his image.

Kaushik, who appeared before a four-member committee appointed by Hockey India (HI) to go into the complaint by Ranjitha Devi, told mediapersons later that he was confident he would be cleared of all charges.

But he said he did not want to continue as the coach and had handed in his papers. "I feel uncomfortable. I won't be able to give my hundred per cent," he said.

The allegations against Kaushik came on the day when, in a separate and unrelated development, an anonymous person sent to HI pictures of team videographer Basava Raja in allegedly compromising positions with women said to be sex workers. The pictures and video clips were apparently taken during the team's recent trip to China, sources said.

HI promptly suspended the video analyst, an employee of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) under suspension.

Kaushik cited the case of Basava Raja and said he took moral responsibility for the actions of one of his staff members.

The Olympian has been coach of the women's team for more than a decade and was behind its vastly improved performance in recent times. His contract would have expired in November this year.

The commitee set up by HI to probe the allegations consists of former India captains Zafar Iqbal and Ajit Pal Singh, Sudarshan Pathak and Rajeev Mehta. Apart from Kaushik, they also met Ranjitha Devi today. The player, however, did not speak to the media. Her complaint has been signed by 31 other players, too.

File photo of M. K. Kaushik.

HI Secretary General Narendra Batra told journalists the committee would submit its report on Friday. He said the HI had kept the Government as well as the SAI in the loop in the matter.

He said the allegations were shocking and serious and HI would take strong action if they were found to be true.

He said the HI would submit the report along with its recommendations to SAI for necessary action.

The women's hockey team is due to leave in two days for the Asia Cup tournament in Korea.

NNN