Gymnast, Coach May Be In Trouble

NEW DELHI: Investigators did not rule out calling back a gymnast and his coach from Incheon in South Korea, where they have gone to participate in the Asian Games, to join probe into allegations of a woman gymnast that they sexually harassed her during a training camp earlier this month.

Police have booked the duo based on allegations by the woman gymnast that they had passed obscene comments and made vulgar gestures at her during a practice session at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on the evening of September 2.

In her complaint lodged on Tuesday night, the trainee-level woman gymnast alleged that the coach and the player passed vulgar remarks about her clothes and made indecent gestures.

The investigators said the the coach and gymnast, who have left for Incheon on Tuesday night, may be called back to Delhi, if required.

"We have intensified our investigation. If needed, police will ask both accused to return to India soon. Both are scheduled to come back in the first week of October. We will take a decision on whether to call them back soon or wait for their schedule arrival," said a senior police official.

A case has been registered under Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Indra Prashtha Estate police station in central Delhi.

Meanwhile, Gymnastic Federation of India promised strict against the coach and the player if they are found guilty of charges of 'harassing' the woman player.

The player had also alleged that police initially refused to register her complaint, but when a senior official intervened, an FIR was then filed.

Asked about her claim about police, a senior police official said the compliant is being being investigated. "We will investigate if there was a delay on the part of police officials to register gymnast's complaint. If anyone is found guilty, we will take action," he said.

PTI