Kolkata: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has asked Hockey India to place former India women’s hockey captain and executive board member Asunta Lakra who alleged 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 he described as the “institutional protection of sexual harassment” and the victimization of women athletes.In a letter dated July 13, addressed to Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, an Indian government director forwarded Lakra’s July 10 email and requested that the allegations be investigated under the provisions of the Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013.“I am directed to return the email dated 10.07.2026 received by Ms. Asunta Lakra… She requested the establishment of an independent inquiry into the allegations of sexual harassment, institutional intimidation and related issues concerning women athletes,” the letter says.The ministry also requested that the issues raised by Lakra be referred to the HI ICC for “its consideration and appropriate action” and requested 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 as per the government’s directions.”In his email, Lakra wrote that after informing the Jharkhand government about the allegations of sexual harassment against former Eklavya Hockey Center coach Sudhir Golla, “General Secretary of Hockey India and President of Hockey Jharkhand Mr. Bholanath Singh phoned me and threatened me for reporting the matter to the authorities.”She also sought an independent inquiry into what she said were institutional protections 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 faced several allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct involving its coaches and officials.Earlier this year, allegations surfaced against a former HI official accused of seeking sexual favors from women referees in exchange for international assignments. During the Hockey India League 2025, a coach was asked to leave the tournament following allegations of misconduct involving players. Former Indian women’s team coach Harendra Singh and a junior team coach were also relieved of their duties following a separate complaint.Last week, Lakra told TOI that Singh had warned her to “stay within her bounds” after questioning the alleged protection extended to Golla by Hockey Jharkhand. He had also submitted a letter signed by 31 national and international hockey players to the Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs and Art and Culture of Jharkhand, in which Golla sexually harassed the players, used caste slurs and enjoyed the protection of senior officials of Hockey Jharkhand.When contacted by TOI earlier, Singh denied Lakra’s allegations. “Why should I threaten her? I know her since 2014. These are wrong and baseless,” he had said. Golla also denied all the allegations against him, calling them “baseless” and called for a fair investigation.