Sexual abuse of a Minor girl came into the light after she posted the video clip on a social mead in which the swimming coach Surjit Ganguly is seen sexually abusing her. The Goa Swimming Association (GSA) has terminated the services of chief coach Surajit Ganguly “with immediate effect” after allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment were leveled against him by a minor girl, after his video of molesting her went viral.
The Union Sports Ministry has asked for a ban on his employment in any of the swimming associations.
The Association’s Chairman Digambar Kamat said that action was initiated against the coach after the video went viral, though there is no formal complaint lodged against him by anyone.
Kamat further stated that what was depicted in the video was condemnable and hence their letter to the Sports Authority of Goa informing them about the termination.
GSA Secretary Syed Abdul Majid told the Sports Authority of Goa and Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs (DSYA) on Wednesday that they are no longer using the services of the Bengal coach who was training Goan swimmers for the last seven months.
GSA’s action is a result of a social media post from a minor girl, who detailed how he coach sexually harassed and molested her. According to the swimmer, she was training back home in Bengal and was called to Goa by the coach when he found employment with GSA.
“I had a very bad experience during the six months that I spent in Goa. The coach would harass me, touch me inappropriately and threaten me not to tell anyone about this. He has even come home and misbehaved,” the girl, speaking in Bengali, said in an online post.
The young swimmer said she had gone to the police station in Bengal to lodge a complaint but was told that a complaint had to be registered in Goa, where the offense is said o have taken place.
Ganguly was attached to the Mapusa facility of SAG and has been training several swimmers.
I have the video with me in case authorities need it, I can provide it to them.
Sharing some captures from the video (face of minor blurred) highlighting the crime and criminal’s face. pic.twitter.com/GA3mOKV8If— Madhur (@ThePlacardGuy) September 4, 2019
In the year 2017, Goa Legislative Assembly had even moved a congratulatory motion congratulating him along with others for bringing pride and glory to swimming and diving sports and to the State of Goa.
Union Sports minister Kiren Rijju, who was tagged in the post, called for immediate action against the coach.
“Stringent action will be taken through Sports Authority. Firstly, it’s a heinous crime of serious nature so I’ll urge the police to take stringent penal action against the coach urgently”, said Rijju.
He further stated that in view of the heinous crime he has requested the Swimming Federation of India to ensure that this coach is not employed anywhere in India and this rule applies to all Federations and disciplines.
