Patiala, Jul 25: Suspended weightlifting coach Ramesh Malhotra today denied charges of sexual harassment levelled against him by Olympic bronze medallist Karnam Malleswari, saying the allegations are “false and malicious”.
The SAI coach, who was nominated by the IWF for this year’s Dronacharya award, was suspended on Sunday after Malleswari alleged that he harassed junior lifters for over a decade.
Malhotra said the IWF should ask the girls training under him to find out the truth.
“She (Malleswari) has stained my 26-year-old career in sports coaching. I will not let this put me down. I will battle for my reputation,” he said.
“Malleswari thinks she can use her international fame to corner me on my reputation. I will prove her wrong,” he added.
Malhotra insisted that the recording of his phone conversation with Malleswari, which forms the basis of her allegations, was made public in bits and pieces and gave a wrong impression.
“She has chosen to show that part of the conversation which suits her requirements. If she is so confident, let her come out with the complete conversation so that everyone knows what the truth is,” he said.