IWF suspends coach after sexual harassment allegations

The Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) on Saturday suspended Ramesh Malhotra,a day after allegations of sexual exploitations against him came to light....

The Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) on Saturday suspended Ramesh Malhotra,a day after allegations of sexual exploitations against him came to light. The SAI national weightlifting coach Malhotra was attached to the Commonwealth Games core group of athletes training at National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala.

The federation has also named a three-member committee headed by IWF vice-president Kumbasi Subramanya,former coach Pal Sandhu and Madan Lal Salvi to further probe into the matter.

The IWF moved into action after Olympic medallist Karnam Malleswari accused a SAI coach,who has been recommended for the Dronacharya award,of sexually harassing a junior lifter a few years back.

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Speaking to The Sunday Express,IWF secretary general Sahdev Yadav said: We’ve got some complaints and we will look into the matter later on and an inquiry will be conducted,but following the IWF presidents communiqué to me,the coach has been suspended.

Curiously,the IWF seems to have been aware of the accusations against the coach’s conduct for some time. And an in-house inquiry into the matter was conducted last weekend by Yadav at NIS,where he had individually met all women lifters. Yadav confirmed his visit to NIS but said,the charges could not be proved back then.

Not guilty: Malhotra

Meanwhile,Malhotra rubbished the allegations as “false and malicious”,and said he had no knowledge of the IWF decision to suspend him. Malhotra insisted that the recording of his phone conversation with Malleswari,which forms the basis of allegations,was made public in bits and pieces and gave a wrong impression. “She has chosen to show that part of the conversation which suits her requirements. If she is so confident,let her come out with the complete conversation so that everyone knows what the truth is.

“She has stained my 26-year-long career in sports coaching. I will not let this put me down. I will battle for my reputation,” he said,adding that he would move court if needed. “Malleswari thinks she can use her international fame to corner me on my reputation. I will prove her wrong.”