Woman coach harassment case: Haryana Minister Sandeep Singh seeks anticipatory bail

Haryana Minister Sandeep Singh has filed a request before the Chandigarh High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the alleged harassment case involving a woman coach. The request comes in response to the chargesheet filed by the Chandigarh Police against former Sports and Youth Affairs minister as the court had issued a notice to him after the chargesheet was filed in the case. Singh was divested of the charge of Sports and Youth affairs portfolio a week after being booked, however, he continues to hold the Printing and Stationery department.

The chargesheet filed by the Chandigarh Police suggests that the relationship between the minister and the woman coach was beyond professional conduct. However, Singh has denied all the allegations claiming that no such incident has taken place ever. The Chandigarh Police had registered the complaint against the minister on the complaint of the woman coach on December 31. The FIR mentions several charges under Section 354 (outraging modesty of a woman), 354A (sexual harassment), 354B (assault or criminal force with intent to disrobe), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 506 (criminal intimidation) under Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the former captain of Indian Hockey team. 

The woman coach who had levelled the allegations against the Haryana minister has been suspended by the Haryana Sports department.