Haryana Sports Minister resigns over sexual misconduct allegations

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Photo: ANI

Chandigarh: Sandeep Singh tendered his resignation as Haryana’s sports minister on Saturday after a female coach accused him of sexual misconduct and filed a complaint against him. The BJP leader, however, denied the allegations and called them an attempt to tarnish his image.

Meanwhile, the woman alleged that Singh asked her for sexual favors when she went to see him for a job. She even claimed that the politician ripped her t-shirt during a fight at her home.

Haryana’s opposition has demanded strict action against Sandeep Singh and a fair investigation into the woman’s allegations.

Allegations

The complainant is a junior athletics coach in Haryana. She alleged that Sandeep Singh first saw her at a gym and then contacted her on Instagram. She said the MP for Pehowa in Kurukshetra was insisting they meet.

“He messaged me on Instagram and told me that my National Games certificate was pending and wanted to meet in this regard. Unfortunately, my certificate was misplaced by my federation and I spoke to the authorities about it. involved,” the woman said.

She, according to her complaint, agreed to meet Sandeep Singh at her residence-camp office here with some other documents she had. When she went there, the minister assaulted her, she said.

Haryana | Coach who filed sexual harassment complaint against Minister of State Sandeep Singh met with Home Office t.co/3p7PvudjxP

— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2023

“He took me to a side cabin in his residence…placed my documents on the bedside table and put his hand on my foot. He said when he first saw me he loved me… He said you keep me happy and I’ll keep you happy,” the woman said.

“I took his hand away and he even tore my T-shirt. I was crying and I sounded the alarm to ask for help and although all his staff were there, no one helped me”, she added.

Sandeep Singh steps down as minister

Following the filing of an FIR against him, Sandeep Singh posted a video message confirming his resignation from the post of Sports Minister of Haryana. In the video, he said he was handing over responsibility for the sports department to the chief minister.

He added, however, that there was an attempt to tarnish his image and hoped for a thorough investigation into the complainant’s allegations and story.

#WATCH | Haryana Minister Sandeep Singh says he is handing over responsibility for the sports department to t.co/Mp7Q6aExAA

— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2023

“I hope there will be a thorough investigation into the false allegations made against me. I am handing over the responsibility of the sports department to the CM until the investigation report is released,” he said. .

Opposition calls for action

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has demanded an impartial investigation into the allegations, while India’s National Lok Dal has called on the government of Manohar Lal Khattar to immediately sack Sandeep Singh and set up a special investigation team to investigate the case.

Speaking to the media, Hooda said: “Sandeep has tendered his resignation and now a fair investigation must be carried out.”

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