Former India women's hockey captain Asunta Lakra has rejected sexual misconduct-linked complaints against her as false and malicious, while disputing whether Hockey India's Ethics Committee even has the jurisdiction to hear the case.
Former Indian women's hockey team captain and selector Asunta Lakra has denied all allegations levelled against her by another player and simultaneously questioned the jurisdiction of Hockey India's Ethics Committee and the maintainability of proceedings against her.
"I deny each and every allegation, insinuation and imputation levelled against me in the said complaints, whether express or implied…The allegations are false, baseless, malicious, motivated, defamatory and are a complete distortion of facts," Asunta wrote in a detailed preliminary reply to Ethics Committee chairman Justice (Retd) Raghvendra Kumar on Wednesday.
Asunta, who has herself levelled serious allegations of sexual misconduct against coach Sudhir Golla and of criminal intimidation against Hockey India Secretary-General Bholanath Singh, had complaints filed against her by Albela Rani Toppo and was asked to respond by August 5.
In her reply, Asunta argued that both complaints against her were addressed to the Secretary General of Hockey India and not to the President. Under the bylaws adopted on June 20, 2026 and the Code of Ethics framed under them, she contended, the Ethics Committee does not have original or suo-motu jurisdiction. "A complaint referable to the Ethics Committee must first be placed before, examined by and referred in writing by the President, Hockey India, who alone performs the gatekeeping function," she stated.
"Until such a written reference is made by the President, the Ethics Committee is not, and cannot be, seized of the complaint, and no inquiry – fact-finding or otherwise – can be commenced against any person," she added.
Asunta further questioned the veracity of the notice issued to her "at the instance of secretary-general," pointing out that he is a person of interest in the matter. She also challenged the constitution of the Ethics Committee and the chairman's authority to hold an enquiry, issue notice or record findings singly, stating, "The Ethics Committee is a collegiate body which must act as a body and through a validly constituted quorum."
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Hockey. Photo courtesy The Hindu Hockey.