I'm innocent, says suspended weightlifting coach

Jul 25, 2010 |

IANS

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Suspended weightlifting coach Ramesh Malhotra said on Sunday that all charges of sexual harassment levelled against him by Sydney Olympics bronze medallist Karnam Malleswari are baseless.

Malleswari has accused Malhotra, a Sports Authority of India (SAI) coach, of sexually harassing junior girls at the national camp in Patiala.

Malhotra, didn't want to give any clarifications, but said that it was a campaign to malign his image.

"I am ready to ready to face the consequences if I am found guilty. And if I am proved innocent then all those who have conspired against me should be be punished," Malhotra was quoted as saying by a TV channel.

Malhotra also said that the truth could be found out from the girls of the weightlifting team.

Malleswari had accused Malhotra of sexually harassing female weightlifters for more than a decade.

The Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has suspended Malhotra.

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