Para-swimmer Shams Alam Shaikh detained in Nagoya over harassment charge, sent home from Asian Para Games

An incident that has embarrassed Indian sport has emerged during the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan. Mohammad Shams Alam Shaikh, a 40-year-old star Indian para-swimmer, has been accused of sexually harassing and behaving obscenely with a woman employee of a hotel.

Japanese police detained him immediately after the incident. He was sent back to India, that is, deported, on Tuesday night without being allowed to compete.

According to the information available, the incident took place on Monday at the hotel Four Points by Sheraton in Nagoya, where the Indian para-swimming team was staying. The woman employee had gone to Shaikh's room for housekeeping work. It is alleged that Shaikh made obscene gestures at her, touched her inappropriately and tried to force himself on her.

The woman left the room immediately and told her seniors everything. The hotel management then called the local police. Japanese police reached the spot, detained Shaikh and took him to the police station. The Japanese administration had demanded strict legal action and his arrest.

The local organising committee informed the office of the Indian contingent's chef de mission about the incident. To avoid trouble for the country internationally and legal complications, officials of the Indian contingent sought written apologies from the woman employee and the hotel administration. After mediation by the organising committee, Shaikh was shifted immediately to another hotel and sent off directly from Nagoya to India on Tuesday.

A senior official of the Indian contingent said the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) is considering a lifetime ban on Mohammad Shams Alam Shaikh for damaging the reputation of the entire Indian team internationally. A final decision will be taken at an official meeting in Delhi after the competition ends.

An Indian sports official said: "Instead of focusing on the athletes' performance, officials had to run around between the police station and the hotel. This caused the Indian contingent needless trouble."

Shaikh is originally from Madhubani district in Bihar and lives in Dharavi, Mumbai. He is an international para-swimmer for India. He had earlier performed well in the 100 metre butterfly and the 50 metre breaststroke. He was considered a medal contender at these Asian Para Games, but because of this incident he has had to return home without competing in a single event.