KOLKATA: The Ethics Commission of Hockey in India has initiated a fact-finding investigation into the complaints against former Indian hockey team captain and executive council member Assunta Lakra.The development comes a day after it emerged that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to constitute an impartial, fair and transparent committee to probe the allegations leveled by Lakra against Hockey India’s general secretary and Jharkhand Hockey chief Bhola Nath Singh and former coach Sudhir Gula. The ministry has also sought clarification from the Indian hockey team.
In a letter issued by Justice (Retd) Rajvendra Kumar, Chairman of the Ethics Committee of Hockey India, Lakra was informed that Jharkhand player Albela Rani Toppo had filed two complaints against her, addressed to the Secretary General of Hockey India on April 5 and July 9.“Vide Hockey India letter dated 10.07.2026, I have been requested to conduct a fact-finding investigation into the allegations leveled against you. A copy of both the complaints is hereby sent to you with a direction to file reply/reply thereto within July 30, 2026,” the letter, a copy of which TOI has on hand, said.It also states that if no response is received within the stipulated period, “it will be deemed that you do not have to say anything in your defense and, accordingly, the fact-finding investigation will continue in accordance with procedures and applicable law.”
Reacting to this development, Lakra said: “I will adhere to the directives of the Sports Ministry and will present my version to the committee formed to look into the matter. But sending this notice at this stage is nothing but an attempt to intimidate me.”Earlier, the ministry had written to Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey directing the federation to place Lakra’s complaint before the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and seek a report on the outcome.Following the report, Tirkey wrote to the ministry requesting an independent investigation into Lakra’s allegations and informed members of the Hockey India Executive Board about it.Hockey India’s vice-president, Asima Ali, expressed her support for Lakra, saying she would closely monitor the federation’s handling of the matter.“Proper and fair implementation of the Indian Sports Code in hockey will be monitored by me…
In case there is any unfair or unjust practice, I will include it in my ongoing petition before the Delhi High Court without any delay. I also extend my full support to Ms. Assunta Lakra.”Lakra alleged that Singh threatened her after she raised concerns over the alleged protection provided by Hoki Jharkhand to Jola. Gola was also accused of intimidating female players after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced against him. Both Singh and Gola denied the allegations.