BENGALURU: A 15-year-old athlete from a government-run sports centre and school in north Bengaluru has accused her 50-year-old coach of molestation and sexual harassment. The coach has told police that he had only touched her during discus throw training.
Police sources said the athlete, a ninth standard student, resides at the sports hostel and was part of the state team. A group of students had gone to Visakhapatanam to participate in a tournament between November 24and 26. The girl alleged that while they were travelling in a crowded train, the coach held her neck and pushed her. In her complaint to the police, she has also alleged that the coach touched her inappropriately during training at the centre. Police said other students from the school who were on the train when the incident occurred will be questioned.
After she returned, the victim, along with her parents, took up the issue with the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports on November 28. On Tuesday, they filed a complaint at Chikkajala police station.
Department director Anupam Agarwal said, “Some days ago, we received a complaint against the teacher that he had behaved inappropriately with a minor inmate of the hostel, after which we informed the police.” Agarwal said the department had also conducted its own inquiry.Additional commissioner of police (east) Seemanth Kumar Singh said, “We received the complaint on Tuesday and have registered a case. We are investigating.”
The coach was posted at the sports hostel about a month ago. Earlier, he was training athletes at Sri Kanteerava Stadium. The accused coach appeared before the police for questioning on Tuesday. On Wednesday, police also questioned the principal of the centre.