Coach Alleges Inaction On Molestation Charges Against Former Minister

A sports coach who accused Haryana's former sports minister Sandeep Singh of molestation last year recently alleged that despite sufficient evidence, no proper proceedings have been initiated. According to reports, she alleged that no action as mandated by the Vishaka Guidelines (regarding workplace harassment) has been taken against Singh, who is presently the Minister of State for Printing and Stationery, Haryana. The coach said that specific evidence was collected by the prosecution which was reflected in the summary report under Section 173, CrPC.

According to the Tribune, the coach also alleged that the summary report reflected that after filing the complaint, the accused had approached her through a WhatsApp call on January 5, 2023, with prosecution witness Raj Kumar Mittan, Secretary Athletics Haryana and Joint Secretary, Athletic Federation of India, to compromise.

No Proceedings Under Vishaka Guidelines, Says Coach

Sandeep Singh served as Haryana's Sports Minister till January 1, 2023, when he resigned following sexual assault charges against him. In December 2022, a junior athletics coach filed a complaint alleging that Singh had called her to his camp office and sexually assaulted her. Two weeks later, the Haryana Police registered a case of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation against him.

He denied the allegation and alleged that the complaint aimed to commit a personal vendetta against him. He resigned from the post of Sports Minister following the registration of a case against him and handed over his portfolio to the Chief Minister. The junior coach sought action against him as mandated in the Vishaka Vs State of Rajasthan case guidelines (Vishaka Guidelines), which pertain to sexual harassment in the workplace.

The advocate representing the coach argued that the deposition of witness Raj Kumar Mittan is probably supported by the scientific evidence about their telephonic conversation on January 5, 2023. However, a copy of the same has not been supplied to the survivor. The advocate also alleged that the survivor's complaint was dismissed by administrative officers.

The advocate said, "It is a settled dictum of law that a victim of a sexual offence case is an injured witness and her sole testimony is sufficient to convict an accused, but in the present case, there are testimonies of senior IPS and senior officials of the Sports Department which points out to the fact that immediately after the incident the victim/complainant had confided in them, who instead of encouraging her to fight for her rights, had asked her to ignore the incident."