Kolkata: The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has asked Hockey India to place the complaint of former Indian women’s hockey captain and executive board member Asunta Lakra alleging harassment, intimidation and retaliation before the Federal Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and conduct an independent inquiry.The directive comes just days after Lakra wrote a letter to Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and TOPS officials, seeking an independent inquiry into what he described as a “safeguarding of sexual harassment” and harassment of women athletes.In a letter dated July 13, addressed to Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey, the Indian government director emailed Lakra on July 10 and requested that the allegations be investigated under the provisions of the Harassment of Women at Work (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.“I am told to send the e-mail of 10.07.2026 received from Ms. Asunta Lakra… She has requested the orders for an independent investigation into crimes related to sex, threats to organizations and issues related to female athletes,” the letter says.The ministry also requested that the issues raised by Lakra be placed before the ICC of HI for “consideration and appropriate action” and asked that the outcome of the proceedings be shared with the ministry.Commenting on the development, a Hockey India source told TOI, “We have received the communication from the ministry and will do all necessary as per the government’s request.”In his email, Lakra said that after informing the Jharkhand government about the allegations of harassment against former Eklavya Hockey Center coach Sudhir Golla, he was threatened by HI general secretary and Jharkhand Hockey President Bhola Nath Singh to speak.He also called for an independent investigation into what he says are institutional protections being offered to people accused of torture and retaliation against those who started the case.The ministry’s intervention comes at a time when the HI has been dealing with several cases of bullying and harassment involving teachers and government officials.Earlier this year, charges emerged against an HI executive who was accused of trying to have sex with actresses in return for international work. In the 2025 Hockey India League, the coach was asked to leave the tournament following allegations made against women players. Former India women’s team coach Harendra Singh and the youth team coach were also sacked following various complaints.Last week, Lakra told TOI that Singh had warned him to “stay within his bounds” when he asked about the security allegedly being provided to Golla by Hockey Jharkhand. He also submitted a letter signed by 31 national and international hockey players to the Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs & Art & Culture in Jharkhand, saying that Golla abused the players, used abusive language and was protected by the Hockey Jharkhand authorities.When contacted by TOI earlier, Singh denied Lakra’s allegations. “How can I threaten him? I have known him since 2014. This is wrong and baseless,” he said. Golla has also denied all the allegations against him, calling them “baseless” and calling for a proper investigation.