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This is an archive article published on June 26, 2013
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Opinion Confusion coming in way of truth

The allegations of sexual harassment levelled by a female junior shooter

indianexpress

Vinayak Padmadeo

June 26, 2013 12:36 AM IST First published on: Jun 26, 2013 at 12:36 AM IST

The allegations of sexual harassment levelled by a female junior shooter,a national champion,against a teammate needs to be investigated thoroughly by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) to ensure that the image of the sport in the country and budding careers are not ruined.

The NRAI handed over the responsibility of getting to the bottom of the facts of the alleged sexual harrasment incident to its athletes’ committee,which is chaired by former shooter Moraad Ali Khan.

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However,the fact that the members of this committee haven’t met since its inception in April means that they will have to quickly call for a meeting keeping in mind the gravity of the allegations. Moreso it has already been a week since the official complaint was filed.

Also the incident during the junior international competition in Suhl is not the first time that the same junior male shooter has been accused of a similar deed of disgrace — the earlier incident allegedly occurred in March in Acapulco.

For if a free and fair trial is to be held,then for starters the committee needs to be given a clear mandate. Currently,there is ambiguity among the members on whether or not they have the power to issue sanctions or for that matter even inquire into the sexual harrasement allegations.

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A section of the committee believes that they don’t have the mandate to investigate or issue a verdict,because the president Raninder Singh is deemed to be the competent authority to judge matters pertaining to sexual harassment according to the NRAI constitution.

The NRAI website also clearly mentions that the Players Grievance Cell should look into matters of sexual discrimination and offenses but the president after studying the nature of the complaint decided to refer it to the Athletes’ Committee.

The six-member committee comprises Anjali Bhagwat,Suma Shirur and Samaresh Jung apart from Khan and it is vital that they begin their probe knowing fully well that they have the power to take decisions and slap punishments.

Vinayak is a principal correspondent based in New Delhi

vinayakbhushan.padmadeo@expressindia.com