Swimming coach Surajit Ganguly, who has been accused of raping a 15-year-old girl who was training with him, was arrested in New Delhi on Friday according to PTI. Superintendent of Police (North) Utkrisht Prasoon told the wire service that Ganguly was held in New Delhi's Kashmiri Gate area. A 15-year-old gold medallist swimmer who was training under coach Surajit Ganguly has accused him for allegedly molesting her through a YouTube video.
After the video went viral on social media, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Sports and Youth Affairs Kiren Rijiju took cognizance of it and asked for strict action. Goa Police on Thursday registered a case of rape against Ganguly, who was employed with the Goa Swimming Association (GSA).
Superintendent of Police said the girl's father had first approached Rishra Police Station in Hoogly district of West Bengal with the complaint against the coach. Both the girl and the accused hail from West Bengal.
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After the complaint was filed, North Goa District Police immediately sprang into action, the complaint was obtained through e-mail, and a first information report (FIR) was immediately registered at Mapusa police station, the SP said. Ganguly's movements were tracked using technical surveillance and local intelligence, Prasoon said. "It was found that the accused was traveling to different cities to evade arrest," he added.
A case of rape, molestation and criminal intimidation under the IPC, as well as for offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered against Ganguly at Mapusa police station on Thursday.
A video of the crime had gone viral on social media, prompting Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju to promise a stringent action against him. The Goa Swimming Association also sacked him.
On Friday, the Swimming Federation Of India banned Ganguly from all activities related to the sport.