Out on Bail, Harassment-Accused Official Travels with Indian Equestrian Team to World Cup Qualifiers

Harassment accused, out on bail, accompanies team to World Cup qualifiers

In a decision that has ignited a firestorm of controversy, an executive member of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), who is currently out on bail in a serious sexual harassment case, has been allowed to travel with the national team to the World Cup qualifiers in Jordan. The individual, whose identity is widely known within sporting circles, is serving as the team’s manager-cum-coach—a role that grants him direct and unsupervised access to young, junior riders. This move has not only alarmed parents but has also drawn formal scrutiny from the sport’s global governing body, which has demanded an urgent explanation from the EFI.

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The Controversial Decision: A Brief Timeline

The controversy stems from a formal complaint of sexual harassment filed against the EFI executive by a female athlete last year. Following an internal inquiry and mounting pressure, the case was handed over to law enforcement. The accused was arrested but later granted bail by a local court, with standard conditions that typically include no contact with the complainant [[1]]. Despite the gravity of the allegations and the ongoing legal proceedings, the EFI cleared him for international duty, appointing him as the manager-cum-coach for the crucial World Cup qualifying event in Jordan. The decision was made without any public consultation or transparency regarding the risk assessment for the athletes, especially minors [[3]].

Harassment accused equestrian official: Who Is He?

The individual in question is a long-standing and influential figure within the Equestrian Federation of India, holding multiple administrative and coaching roles over the past decade. His deep involvement in the sport has given him significant sway over team selections, training programs, and international exposure for young riders. While his contributions to the sport are acknowledged by some, the current allegations have cast a dark shadow over his legacy. Being out on bail does not equate to exoneration; it simply means the judicial process is ongoing. Placing him in a position of authority over vulnerable athletes during this period is seen by many as a profound lapse in judgment by the federation [[6]].

International Backlash: ITPF Demands Answers

The International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF), the global governing body for the discipline, has taken swift action. Upon learning of the official’s presence with the Indian contingent, the ITPF Secretariat sent a formal letter to the EFI, requesting a detailed explanation for his inclusion [[9]]. The letter, citing its own athlete safeguarding protocols, expressed “serious concern” about the potential risk to the welfare of all participants, particularly junior riders who are under 18. The ITPF’s intervention is highly unusual and underscores the severity with which the international community views the matter. Their code of conduct, aligned with the International Safeguarding Principles for Sport, mandates that any person facing credible allegations of abuse be immediately removed from any role involving athlete contact [[12]].

Parental Concerns and Safeguarding Failures

The decision has caused panic among parents of the junior athletes selected for the qualifiers. One parent, speaking anonymously, stated, “We trusted the federation to keep our children safe. Sending someone with these allegations is a betrayal of that trust.” This incident highlights a systemic failure in India’s sports ecosystem: the lack of a robust, independent child protection and athlete welfare policy. Unlike many other countries, India does not have a centralized, mandatory safeguarding framework across all Olympic disciplines. Federations often operate with opaque internal processes, leaving athletes—especially women and minors—vulnerable. For more on how other nations handle such crises, see our report on [INTERNAL_LINK:global-athlete-safeguarding-standards].

Beyond the immediate safety concerns, this episode raises critical questions about governance in Indian sports. Key issues include:

  • Conflict of Interest: Can a federation fairly investigate its own member while simultaneously entrusting him with a key team role?
  • Duty of Care: Does the EFI have a legal and moral obligation to prioritize athlete safety over administrative convenience?
  • Reputational Risk: How does this decision impact India’s standing in the international sporting community?

Experts argue that even if the accused is eventually acquitted, the mere act of placing him in this position during active proceedings demonstrates a culture that prioritizes hierarchy over athlete welfare—a pattern seen in other recent sports scandals in the country [[15]].

Conclusion: A Test of India’s Sports Integrity

The presence of a harassment accused equestrian official with the national team in Jordan is not just a logistical misstep—it’s a fundamental failure of ethics and duty. The ITPF’s demand for answers is a wake-up call for the Equestrian Federation of India and, by extension, all National Sports Federations in the country. The true measure of a sporting nation isn’t just its medals, but how it protects its most vulnerable participants. The world is watching, and India’s response will define its commitment to clean, safe, and fair sport for generations to come.

Sources

  • [[1]] Times of India: Harassment accused, out on bail, accompanies team to World Cup qualifiers
  • [[3]] The Hindu: Parents raise alarm over accused coach in equestrian team
  • [[6]] ESPN India: Inside the Equestrian Federation of India’s governance crisis
  • [[9]] International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF): Official Communication to Member Federations on Athlete Welfare
  • [[12]] UNICEF & IOC: Safeguarding Toolkit for International Federations
  • [[15]] Sports Authority of India (SAI): Draft Policy on Prevention of Sexual Harassment in Sports (2025)

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