New Delhi: While the country is waiting with bated breath for the advent of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which is slated for October this year in the national capital, the charges of sexual harassment against a senior functionary of the Delhi Soccer Association (DSA) may bring major embarrassment to the association.
About a dozen-odd women football players have accused the senior functionary and present member of the DSA, of ongoing sexual harassment. The players had collectively submitted a formal complaint to the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) in this regard. Besides the DCW, the PM office, Sports Ministry, and the office of the Delhi chief secretary has taken a cognisance of the same and has asked the concerned association to submit a report.
According to the recent notice issued by the DCW, the DSA was yet to reply to its notices. While the first notice was sent on April 21, the second notice was issued to the association in May.
In a notice sent to the association on June 12, the commission for women has stated that it had sent two notices prior to the one in June. However, even after several weeks, no response had been received.
According to sources, about half a dozen football players moved the DSA with complaints of sexual charges against the senior functionary. But to their disappointment, no action has been taken against the senior functionary.
After their voices were suppressed for over five years, some players have allegedly threatened to lodge an FIR if no action is taken.
The commission had sought details of all internal complaint committees/sexual harassment committees set up in the organisation from 2009 till date. The commission has demanded to know the details of the action taken by these committees on the aforementioned complaints by female football players of sexual harassment.
The DCW has also asked the association to reply as to whether the complaints were forwarded to the police regarding the sexual harassment at their work place mandated by the law under Sexual Harassment at Workplace Prevention Act. If yes, the commission has asked them to submit the details of the same. The commission has warned that if replies were not received, it would take appropriate action on its own in the contentious matter.
