Gymnast, coach booked for 'harassing' woman player

Delhi police has intensified investigation in the alleged sexual harassment of a woman player by an international-level gymnast and a gymnastics coach.

The two accused, who are part of the squad which left for the Incheon Asian Games yesterday, have been booked for allegedly passing obscene comments and making vulgar gestures at the woman player, police said today.

"An investigation has been launched in the case and police are recording statements of several persons, including stadium staff and other persons. Police are also scanning the footage of CCTV to get some leads in the case," a senior police officer said.
Asked if the accused will be asked to return to India, the officer said that will be done if needed.

"Investigating team is doing its job. If needed, police will ask both accused to return to India. However, both are scheduled to come back in the first week of October and police can also then record their statements," he said.

In a complaint lodged with the Delhi Police last night, the trainee-level woman gymnast has alleged that the coach and the player passed vulgar remarks about her clothes and made indecent gestures towards her on September 2 evening during a practice session at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

A case has been registered under Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at IP Estate police station in central Delhi.

The victim had also alleged that police initially refused to take her complaint, but when a senior official intervened, an FIR was then registered.

Speaking on these allegations, a top police official said, "We will investigate if there was a delay on the part of police officials to register gymnast's complaint. If anyone is found guilty, we will take action. Police are also investigating the allegations of gymnast and justice will be done."