Haryana sports minister booked for sexual harassment
A female junior athletics coach of Haryana alleged that the state’s sports minister Sandeep Singh had indulged in sexual misconduct when she visited his official residence in Chandigarh
After receiving a complaint by a female junior athletics coach of Haryana, the Chandigarh police have booked Haryana sports minister Sandeep Singh for sexually harassing her.
Police said a case under Sections 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354B (Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered at the Sector 26 police station on Saturday.
The woman coach on Thursday alleged that Singh, a former hockey captain and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Pehowa in Kurukshetra, indulged in sexual misconduct when she visited his official residence in Chandigarh.
The woman visited the Chandigarh police headquarters on Friday and met senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manisha Choudhary and superintendent of police (SP, city) Shruti Arora.
The minister, however, dismissed the charge as baseless and called for an independent probe.
“I have full faith in the Chandigarh police and was assured a fair inquiry,” said the woman, who was recruited as junior coach in September. The woman, who took part in the Rio Olympics, was recruited under the government’s outstanding sports person scheme.
According to the coach, Singh first saw her at a gym and then contacted her on Instagram, repeatedly insisting that they meet. “He messaged me on Instagram and said my national games certificate is pending and wanted to meet in this regard,” she said. She claimed that she agreed to meet him at his residence-cum-camp office with some other documents, but alleged that he engaged in sexual misconduct during the meeting.
As per a PTI report, the athletics coach said she would try to seek an appointment with the Haryana Chief Minister. “I am a daughter of Haryana and this country, and I hope the government will give me time and listen to what I have gone through,” she said.
With Thanks Reference to: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/gulmarg-pahalgam-see-coldest-night-of-season-on-new-year-101672616364020.html
