The mess within Hockey India (HI) keeps getting worse.

In a latest development, former India captain and HI Executive Board member Asunta Lakra has been served a show cause notice by the federation’s Ethics Committee on a complaint filed against her by Albela Rani Toppo, also from Jharkhand.

This comes a day after the Sports Ministry, supported by HI president Dilip Tirkey, had asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to conduct an independent enquiry into Asunta’s allegations of sexual harassment of girls in Jharkhand hockey and institutional intimidation by HI secretary general Bholanath Singh.

“It is to inform you that Ms. Albela Rani Toppo has moved two applications against you addressed to the secretary general, Hockey India, dt. 05.04.2026 and 09.07.2026 respectively making certain allegations against you,” the notice issued by Committee chairman Justice (Retd.) Raghvendra Kumar says, seeking a response by July 30.

In response to the notice, Asunta has written to the ministry against what she calls “continued intimidation and retaliation” by HI.

“…initiating a parallel enquiry through Hockey India’s own mechanism raises serious concern about fairness and creates the impression of intimidation and retaliation… I wish to place on record that Bholanath Singh, against whom I raised allegations relating to the handling of the Sudhir Golla matter, is directly connected to the present complaint process. The complaint filed by Ms Toppo has been addressed to him and he has subsequently directed the Ethics Committee to begin proceedings against me.

“The IOA is now seized of this matter and will conduct an impartial inquiry… I humbly request your urgent intervention to ensure that no parallel process is used to intimidate or disadvantage me while the independent inquiry is underway,” Asunta wrote.

Following up on her accusations of threats and intimidation by Hockey India secretary Bholanath Singh, former India captain Asunta Lakra has urged the Sports Ministry to intervene against the “institutional protection of sexual harassment, intimidation and victimisation of women athletes in hockey”, even as federation president Dilip Tirkey assured to look into the matter.

Writing to the ministry, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Olympic Association president P.T. Usha, among others, Asunta alleged that individuals accused of misconduct were being protected while those raising concerns were threatened.

“I write to you not merely as a former captain of the Indian women’s hockey team, a member of the Executive Board of Hockey India and a selector but as an Indian woman who chose to speak up when young female athletes were being sexually harassed,” wrote Asunta.

“Throughout my career, I believed the greatest responsibility of a senior player is not only to win medals but also to protect the next generation… I brought to the attention of the Jharkhand government allegations against Sudhir Golla… what followed has shaken my faith in the system. The machinery of intimidation was set in motion against me,” she alleged.

Tirkey assured he would talk to both parties to resolve the matter. “Asunta Lakra is one of the treasures of Indian hockey. She has done a great service to the sport by bringing to light an unfortunate incident related to Jharkhand hockey. The Jharkhand government has taken action against Sudhir Golla, and we removed him from the Under-18 national team.

“Regarding allegations against Bholanath, I will speak to both parties and hope that the matter is resolved amicably. The dignity and respect of women is our top priority and Hockey India remains fully committed to the same,” Tirkey said.