Asunta denies charges, questions Ethics Committee jurisdiction

Former Indian women’s hockey team captain and selector Asunta Lakra has not only denied all allegations made against her by another player but also questioned the jurisdiction of the Ethics Committee itself and the maintainability of the 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 the chairman of Hockey India’s Ethics Committee Justice (Retd) Raghvendra Kumar on Wednesday.

Asunta, who has levelled serious allegations of sexual misconduct against coach Sudhir Golla and criminal intimidation against Hockey India Secretary-General Bholanath Singh, had complaints filed against her by Albela Rani Toppo and had been asked to reply by August 5.

“Both the complaints in question are, on their own face, addressed to the Secretary General, Hockey India, and not to the President, Hockey India…Under the scheme of the bylaws of Hockey India adopted on 20th June, 2026 and the Code of Ethics framed thereunder, the Ethics Committee is not a body of 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.

“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 stated.

She also questioned the veracity of the notice issued to her “at the instance of secretary-general” given that he is a person of interest in the matter. Asunta also questioned the constitution of the Ethics Committee and the authority of the chairman to hold an enquiry, issue notice or record findings singly. “The Ethics Committee is a collegiate body which must act as a body and through a validly constituted quorum,” she wrote.