Patiala: Kazakh cycling coach booked for alleged sexual harassment of minor athlete
Police in Patiala have registered an FIR against a Kazakh cycling coach for alleged sexual harassment of a minor player, and seized his passport as they search for him.
A case of alleged sexual harassment of a minor athlete has come to light at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports in Patiala. Patiala police have registered a case against Kazakhstan's cycling coach Maksat Aitzhabayev in the matter. According to police, the incident took place on September 13, while the complaint was filed on September 18.
According to Patiala City Police Superintendent Mohit Agarwal, the FIR has been registered against the accused coach under Sections 64(2) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the POCSO Act. Police are currently examining the evidence and facts related to the case.
During the investigation, police received information that the accused might join a cycling camp in Delhi. Based on this input, special teams raided several locations, but no trace of the accused has been found so far. Police have seized his passport and the search is continuing.
The minor athlete's required medical examination has been conducted. Police said further action will be taken based on the medical report and other facts that emerge during the investigation.
Under the provisions of the POCSO Act, the identity of the minor victim has been kept confidential. Police have appealed that her name, photograph, address or any information that could reveal her identity should not be made public. The media and the general public have also been asked to avoid contacting the victim and her family directly.
The accused coach has not yet been apprehended, meaning he has not been arrested but is being searched for. Since the case was registered, police teams have been trying to trace him, and his passport has already been seized to prevent him from leaving the country.
