Wednesday is the opening ceremony of the 18th Commonwealth Games here. Athletes from all the 71 Commonwealth nations are busy with last-minute preparations. But the mood in the Indian camp is far from upbeat.
The reasons? On Monday, a 16-year-old cleaner at the Games Village charged an Indian support staff (a masseur) with sexual assault.
On Tuesday, a woman weightlifter pulled out after a possible positive dope test. B Premeelavalli, a medal hope, was withdrawn from the team at the last minute, following a report from the Dope Control Centre in Delhi.
Sources say the masseur has been booked under two charges -— indecent assault and unlawful assault — and his passport has been seized. If found guilty, he faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison.
It has been reliably learnt that the person in question is Dewan Nabi, who has been working with the Sports Authority of India under contract for the past seven-eight years. He has denied the charges.
H.J. Dora, the chef-de-mission of the contingent, said the allegation against the masseur was that he had tried to fondle and outrage the modesty of the cleaner. "He has been taken out of the village and the police will take care of the investigation," said Dora.
{{/usCountry}}H.J. Dora, the chef-de-mission of the contingent, said the allegation against the masseur was that he had tried to fondle and outrage the modesty of the cleaner. "He has been taken out of the village and the police will take care of the investigation," said Dora.
{{/usCountry}}The Victorian Police, who are looking into the matter, have refused to reveal much. The matter will come up in the magistrate court on Wednesday.