New Delhi- Suspended coach M K Kaushik on Monday threatened to take legal action against Hockey India, accusing the sports body of trying to put him in the dock in the sexual harassment case through manipulation.
Kaushik, who is at the centre of the unsavoury episode, questioned Hockey India's authority to recommend police and government action against him and objected to HI holding that Ranjita Devi's complaints against him were "credible" without veryfying the allegations.
He said since the five-member inquiry committee's report had only factual matters and no recommendations, HI could not recommend action against him.
"I object to Hockey India deciding not to use my services and recommending Delhi Police to take action against me. The inquiry committee had not at all given any recommendations and how can HI do this," he told reporters at a hurriedly-convened press conference.
"I object to HI secretary general Narinder Batra saying that Ranjita Devi's written reply were credible and had specific charges. The report itself said there were no verification of the allegations. So it is contradictory, on one hand you are saying that her version was credible and at the same time they are not proved. How can it be possible?" he asked.
"I am saying again that all these charges against me are baseless and fabricated. I have sent a reply to the letter sent by HI to the Sports Ministry recommending action on me," he said while presenting his lawyers Mandira Mitra and Praveen Aggarwal to the media.
Mitra said his client will see the situation for a while and if necessary will go to court.
"It is premature to say whether we will go to court or not. If necessary we will go to court but first we are replying to the letter sent by Hockey India to the government. We have given this reply to HI interim president Vidya Stokes," she said. PTI
