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File FIR against M K Kaushik: KPS Gill

Last updated on: July 22, 2010 00:14 IST

Former Indian Hockey Federation president K P S Gill, who was reinstated as IHF chief by the Delhi high court in May, said a criminal case should be filed against M K Kaushik, coach of the Indian women's hockey team, following allegations of sexual harassment.

In a conversation with rediff.com late Wednesday evening, Gill, who successfully fought insurgency and restored peace in Punjab before retiring as Director General of Police, Punjab, said: "This is a criminal case and an FIR should be filed against the coach as per the Supreme Court of India order, which defined what constitutes sexual harassment. Let the investigating agency find out the truth and file a report."

He wondered why Sports Minister M S Gill and Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi are silent on the issue.

"A committee of four persons comprising two former Olympians cannot get to the bottom of this scandal. It is disgusting. I am shocked by the disclosures. This is the job of the police and let them investigate the matter," he added.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the number of girls who have complained against Kaushik has risen to 31 and is likely to swell in the coming days.

Kaushik resigned as chief coach on Wednesday. He has denied the allegations, saying they are a conspiracy against him.

Indian hockey was hit by fresh controversy on Tuesday after Hockey India received a letter accusing former the Olympian of sexual harrassment.

The letter, signed by a 'hockey lover', alleged that Kaushik asked for sexual favours from his players and used vulgar language during the team's recent tours of Canada and China.

It also exposed the team's now-sacked videographer, Basavraj, whose photographs with a prostitute plunged the game into a moral crisis.

Onkar Singh in New Delhi