Hockey India Controversy Escalates: Show Cause Notice Issued to Asunta Lakra

The conflict within Hockey India has intensified as Bhola Nath Singh faces allegations from former captain Asunta Lakra, who has received a show cause notice from the ethics committee. This development follows a complaint from player Albela Rani Toppo, leading to a call for an independent investigation by the Sports Ministry. The situation highlights a significant rift within Hockey India's leadership, raising concerns about impartiality in handling such serious allegations. As the inquiry unfolds, both parties are urged to maintain confidentiality, ensuring a fair process. Read on for a detailed overview of this unfolding controversy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 17, 2026, 15:58 IST

Conflict Between Hockey India Officials Intensifies

The ongoing dispute between Bhola Nath Singh, the secretary general of Hockey India, and former captain Asunta Lakra has escalated significantly.

Justice (retd) Raghvendra Kumar, who chairs Hockey India's ethics committee, has sent a show cause notice to Lakra following a complaint lodged by player Albela Rani Toppo.

This incident follows a request from the Sports Ministry to the Indian Olympic Association to establish an independent committee to investigate Asunta's claims of sexual harassment and institutional pressure. Lakra has alleged that Singh threatened her for bringing attention to the harassment of young female players in Jharkhand by coach Sudhir Golla.

In the show cause notice, Justice Kumar stated, 'Ms. Albella Rani Toppo has submitted two applications against you to the secretary general of Hockey India, dated April 5, 2026, and July 9, 2026, respectively, containing specific allegations.'

The notice further explained, 'Per Hockey India's letter dated July 10, 2026, I have been asked to conduct a fact-finding inquiry into the allegations against you. You are directed to respond by July 30, 2026. Failure to do so will imply that you have no defense, and the inquiry will proceed as per legal protocols.'

Lakra has been transparent about Toppo's complaint, which she claims arose after her disagreement with Singh regarding the harassment case in Jharkhand. Toppo has accused Lakra of threatening her career with the Railways and claiming she would not be selected for the senior national team camp.

Disagreement Among Hockey India Leadership

Justice Kumar's correspondence also highlights a lack of consensus between Singh and Dilip Tirkey, the president and former captain of India, on how to handle these serious allegations.

The sports ministry's call for an independent panel came after Tirkey expressed concerns about the appropriateness of Hockey India investigating the matter, given that both Lakra and Singh are part of the executive board.

Tirkey stated in his letter to the Hockey India Executive Committee members, 'Given that both the complainant and the respondent are executive board members, it would be inappropriate for Hockey India to conduct the inquiry internally, as this could raise questions about impartiality.'

He added, 'I have therefore requested the secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs to form an independent committee to investigate this issue. Hockey India will fully cooperate with the committee and is committed to ensuring a fair and transparent process. I urge all Executive Board members to maintain confidentiality and avoid any communications that could affect the inquiry.'