IOA Inquiry Panel Yet to Meet Over Asunta Lakra Complaint

The Indian Olympic Association’s independent inquiry committee set up to examine allegations made by former India women’s hockey captain Asunta Lakra has not held its first meeting two months after being constituted. The delay has reportedly arisen because Hockey India has not released the funds required to begin the panel’s proceedings.

The four-member committee was formed on September 10 following a directive from the sports ministry. It is tasked with probing Lakra’s allegations of harassment and intimidation against Hockey India secretary Bholanath Singh. With the panel yet to convene, Lakra has said she is disappointed that she has not been called to present her case.

The issue matters because the inquiry was established as an independent process to address a complaint from Lakra, who is also a member of Hockey India’s executive board. Its inability to begin work has left the requested hearing and investigation pending.

Committee formed in September remains unable to start

The IOA appointed retired High Court judge Deepa Sharma to head the inquiry committee. Former track-and-field athlete Vandana Rao, former women’s hockey team captain Mamta Kharb and lawyer Sitwat Nabi were named as members of the panel.

Lakra accused Singh of threatening and harassing her after she objected to the alleged sexual harassment of girls in Jharkhand by local coach Sudhir Golla. The committee was constituted to investigate those allegations.

Hockey India was directed to meet the costs associated with the inquiry, including honorarium, travel, accommodation and incidental expenses. However, sources cited in the report said the committee had not received the necessary funds, preventing it from initiating proceedings and holding its first meeting.

According to the report, committee chairperson Sharma has submitted invoices for professional fees and miscellaneous expenses. An invoice for the legal assistant has also been submitted.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey reportedly sent emails on October 8 and October 10 to treasurer Shekhar Manoharan, secretary general Bholanath Singh and the federation’s finance department, directing that the funds be released immediately. Tirkey later wrote to IOA president P. T. Usha, the sports secretary and the sports ministry on October 29 to inform them of the delay.

Lakra calls for an immediate impartial hearing

Lakra said the speed with which the inquiry committee was formed had initially given her hope that her complaint would be addressed. But she said that, despite two months passing, she had not received a call to appear before the panel and questioned why the investigation had not started.

She said she had filed her complaint in the hope of justice rather than an indefinite wait, and called for a fair investigation. Lakra also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and IOA president P. T. Usha to ensure the inquiry process begins without further delay.

The former captain said she had three expectations: that the committee hold a meeting, that she be given a hearing and that justice be delivered following an impartial inquiry. Until the funding issue is resolved and the panel convenes, the IOA-appointed process remains at its opening stage.