Parliament Question: Complaints of Sexual Harassment in SAI and NSFs

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5807 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 Complaints of Sexual Harassment in SAI and NSFs

5807. SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV:

SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to

state :

(a) the details of total number of complaints regarding sexual harassment received against officials, coaches and support staff associated with the Ministry, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), affiliated National Sports Federations (NSFs), SAI Centres and other sports institution during the last ten years and the current year, year, State/UT and discipline-wise;

(b) the details of Internal Complaints Committees or other inquiry bodies constituted to investigate these cases, including the number of cases where a formal inquiry was completed and the specific nature of action/punishments taken against those found guilty (e.g., termination, suspension, or minor penalty);

(c) the total number of appeals filed by either the complainant or the accused against the decisions/recommendations of the inquiry committees, along with the current status of such appeals;

(d) the details of steps taken/being taken by the Government on these complaints; and

(e) whether the Government has a centralised tracking mechanism to monitor the progress of such cases across different States and sports bodies, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? Page 1 of 3ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]

(a) to (e): National Sports Federations (NSFs) are voluntary bodies registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 / Trusts Act / Companies Act. They are governed by their own constitution and have their own mechanism to redress the grievances/ complaints filed with them by sportspersons. The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports had issued detailed instructions on 12.08.2010 to all NSFs for taking necessary action for compliance with the guidelines laid down by Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Vishakha and Others vs State of Rajasthan and Others.

Pursuant to the enactment of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) (POSH) Act, 2013, the provisions of the POSH Act 2013 are applicable to all NSFs and the respective NSFs recognized by the Ministry have duly constituted Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). The Ministry has also issued instructions to all NSFs from time-to-time on the prevention of sexual harassment in sports. The Ministry does not maintain data about complaints of sexual harassment filed by the sportspersons with the concerned sports bodies.

The Ministry as well as the various organisations under this Ministry have also established Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs), which ensure that all employees/trainees/athletes at these locations have access to a mechanism for addressing complaints related to sexual harassment. No complaints in this regard have been filed in the Ministry with respect to its officials during the last ten years and the current year.

With respect to Sports Authority of India (SAI), eight (08) complaints have been filed against administrative staff and twenty-five (25) complaints have been filed against coaches since 2016. Out of the said 08 cases, 02 cases are currently pending. For administrative staff, one (01) case penalty was Permanent withholding of full gratuity as per Rule 9 of CCS (Pension) Rules 1972, while remaining cases were closed without penalty. For Coaches, based on the findings, actions taken include six(06) suspensions, six(06) minor Page 2 of 3penalties, and two (2) terminations. Further, no appeal was filed for administrative staff. However, for Coaches, eight (08) appeals have been filed by the complainant or the accused against the decisions/recommendations of the inquiry committees.

The SHe-Box portal, introduced by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, has been implemented and is currently operational in SAI. Any aggrieved person may lodge a complaint through the said online portal.

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