Former India women’s hockey captain Asunta Lakra has levelled serious allegations against Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh, claiming she was threatened after speaking out against an alleged sexual harassment case involving young hockey players in Jharkhand. The accusations have intensified scrutiny over how complaints of misconduct are handled within Indian hockey and have sparked fresh questions about accountability inside the sport’s governing structure.
Lakra, a respected figure in Indian hockey who currently serves as a member of Hockey India’s executive board and selection committee, has submitted a written complaint to Jharkhand Sports Minister Sudivya Kumar and the office of Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The complaint has reportedly been supported by several international women hockey players from Jharkhand, reflecting growing concern within the state’s hockey community.
Speaking to the media, Lakra alleged that the confrontation took place in May while she was attending to her ailing father. According to her, Bhola Nath Singh reacted aggressively after she raised concerns regarding the alleged sexual harassment case involving former hockey coach Sudhir Golla at the Eklavya Training Centre in Morabadi, Ranchi.
“I was threatened by Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh. He was incredibly rude and told me to ‘behave’ after I raised the sexual harassment case against Sudhir Golla,” Lakra said, adding that the conversation left her deeply disturbed.
Lakra further claimed that despite the allegations against Golla, he continued to exert influence over players. She alleged that he has denied receiving any suspension order and has intimidated athletes by warning that he could destroy their careers. According to Lakra, such actions have created an atmosphere of fear among young players who were already dealing with the trauma of the alleged misconduct.
She also accused certain officials of attempting to discredit her after she raised the issue. Lakra claimed that a complaint letter was allegedly arranged from one player accusing her of mental harassment and threatening to remove the athlete from training camps and employment opportunities.
Calling the allegations against her baseless, Lakra said her entire career has been dedicated to promoting Indian hockey and supporting young players. She maintained that those familiar with her work would know she has consistently stood for athlete welfare and fair treatment.
The controversy extends beyond Lakra’s individual complaint. A letter dated June 29, reportedly signed by more than 31 people, including 15 international hockey players from Jharkhand, has accused officials of protecting Sudhir Golla despite the seriousness of the allegations against him. The signatories expressed concern that individuals raising the issue were instead being pressured and warned to remain silent.
According to the letter, the case involves allegations that Golla sexually harassed both girls and boys at the Eklavya Training Centre and also used caste-based slurs. The letter further alleges that Hockey India officials backed the coach instead of ensuring an impartial and transparent response. Those who questioned the handling of the matter were allegedly told to “stay within their limits,” raising concerns about the culture surrounding whistleblowers in the sport.
The allegations carry additional significance because Bhola Nath Singh also serves as the President of Hockey Jharkhand, giving him a key administrative role at both the national and state levels.
Earlier, Sudhir Golla had been part of the coaching staff for India’s Under-18 women’s team scheduled to play Australia in a home series in Bhopal. However, after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced, he was reportedly asked to leave the training premises. A formal complaint accusing him of sexual misconduct and dereliction of duty was submitted to the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs in Jharkhand. Pending an official inquiry, authorities reassigned his responsibilities to a woman coach.
Bhola Nath Singh has firmly rejected Lakra’s allegations. Responding to the claims, he stated that he never threatened or misbehaved with any woman associated with Hockey India.
“I do not know why Asunta Lakra is making these allegations. I come from a respectable family and have never behaved in such a manner with anyone,” Singh said while denying all accusations.
However, Lakra’s account received support from Hockey India Vice-President Syed Asima Ali, who confirmed that the issue surfaced during an executive board meeting. According to Ali, Lakra raised concerns regarding the Jharkhand sexual harassment case before Singh allegedly reacted angrily during the discussion.
Ali claimed that Singh raised his voice not only at Lakra but also at her when she questioned why the Internal Complaints Committee had not been involved in investigating such a serious allegation. She said she reminded him that complaints involving workplace sexual harassment should be addressed under the provisions of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) framework rather than through an internal administrative inquiry alone.
According to Ali, she warned Singh that his conduct during the meeting could itself attract scrutiny under the POSH Act, after which the confrontation reportedly ended.
The controversy has once again highlighted the importance of transparent grievance mechanisms in Indian sports. Experts have repeatedly argued that athletes, particularly women and young trainees, should feel safe reporting abuse without fear of retaliation or damage to their careers. Allegations of intimidation against those who raise complaints can discourage victims and witnesses from coming forward, ultimately weakening trust in sporting institutions.
The developments also place renewed focus on governance standards within sports bodies and the role of Internal Complaints Committees in addressing allegations of sexual harassment. While investigations into the allegations continue, the statements made by Lakra, the support expressed by several international players, and the response from Hockey India officials ensure that the issue is likely to remain under close public and administrative scrutiny in the coming weeks.