Kolkata: The ministry of youth affairs & sports has asked Hockey India to place former India women’s hockey captain and executive board member Asunta Lakra’s complaint alleging sexual harassment, intimidation and retaliation before the federation’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and conduct an independent inquiry.The directive comes just days after Lakra wrote to Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and TOPS officials, seeking an independent inquiry into what she described as the “institutional protection of sexual harassment” and the victimisation of women athletes.In a letter dated July 13, addressed to Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, a director to the govt of India forwarded Lakra’s July 10 email and requested that the allegations be examined under the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.“I am directed to forward the email dated 10.07.2026 received from Ms. Asunta Lakra… She has requested the constitution of an independent enquiry into allegations of sexual harassment, institutional intimidation and related issues concerning women athletes,” the letter states.The ministry further requested that the issues raised by Lakra be placed before HI’s ICC for “its consideration and appropriate action” and asked that the outcome of the proceedings be shared with the ministry.Reacting to the development, a Hockey India source told TOI, “We have received the communication from the ministry and will take all necessary steps in accordance with the government’s directions.”In her email, Lakra wrote that after informing the Jharkhand government about allegations of sexual harassment against former Eklavya Hockey Centre coach Sudhir Golla, “Hockey India secretary general and Hockey Jharkhand president Mr. Bholanath Singh telephoned me and threatened me for reporting the matter to the authorities.”She also sought an independent inquiry into what she alleged was institutional protection being extended to individuals accused of sexual harassment and retaliation against those who raised such issues.The ministry’s intervention comes at a time when HI has been grappling with multiple allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct involving its coaches and officials.Earlier this year, allegations surfaced against a senior HI official accused of seeking sexual favours from women umpires in return for international assignments. During the 2025 Hockey India League, a coach was asked to leave the tournament following allegations of misconduct involving women players. Former India women’s team chief coach Harendra Singh and a junior team coach were also relieved of their duties following separate complaints.Last week, Lakra told TOI that Singh had warned her to “stay within her limits” after she questioned the alleged protection being extended to Golla by Hockey Jharkhand. She had also submitted a letter signed by 31 national and international hockey players to Jharkhand’s Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs & Art & Culture, alleging that Golla sexually harassed players, used casteist slurs and enjoyed the protection of senior Hockey Jharkhand officials.When contacted by TOI earlier, Singh denied Lakra’s allegations. “Why should I threaten her? I have known her since 2014. These are wrong and baseless,” he had said. Golla has also denied all the allegations against him, calling them “baseless” and demanded a fair inquiry.