I'm innocent, says suspended weightlifting coach

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

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.

HT Image

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 face the consequences if I am found guilty. And if I am proved innocent then all those who have conspired against me should be punished," Malhotra was quoted as saying by CNN-IBN.

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.