Asunta Lakra rejects allegations, challenges Hockey India ethics inquiry

The Story in Brief

Former India women’s hockey captain and selector Asunta Lakra has denied all allegations made against her by player Albela Rani Toppo, The Hindu reports. In her preliminary reply to Ethics Committee chairman Justice (Retd) Raghvendra Kumar, Lakra called the complaints false, malicious and defamatory.

Lakra also challenged the committee’s jurisdiction and the proceedings’ validity. She argued that complaints must first be examined and referred in writing by Hockey India’s president, which she said had not happened. She questioned a notice issued at the secretary-general’s instance, since she has accused Bholanath Singh of criminal intimidation. Lakra also disputed the committee’s constitution and said its chairman could not act alone. She had separately accused coach Sudhir Golla of sexual misconduct.

The Indian Opinion

The easy narratives here are that a denial proves innocence, or that allegations alone settle the matter. Neither does. Lakra’s jurisdiction challenge may affect whether the inquiry can proceed, while the underlying complaints still require a fair examination. Hockey India should publish the applicable bylaws, confirm who referred the complaints and disclose the committee’s quorum. Those documents will show whether this is a procedural objection or a way to avoid scrutiny.

Source: thehindu.com

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