India table tennis player, Olympian Soumyajit Ghosh was booked on Thursday for allegedly raping a teenager. Soumyajit, India's youngest national champion, however, denied the allegation and said that he will approach the case legally. A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged after an 18-year-old girl filed a police complaint in North 24 Parganas district's Barasat women police station. The victim accused Soumyajit of raping her at her residence in April 2015 on the pretext of marriage. The girl has also claimed that they both were in contact for the last three years when she was a minor.
The girl also added that she did not get any positive response from the table tennis player about their marriage.
Soumyajit has been booked on the charges of rape (Indian Penal Code's Section 376), cheating (IPC 417), causing miscarriage without woman's consent (IPC 313) and under sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Commenting on the incident, TTFI secretary-general, MP Singh said that a meeting of the executive board will decide whether the table tennis player is to be suspended or not.
"We got to know about the episode through news reports in the morning. We have managed to acquire a copy of the FIR. Since these are very serious charges, the TTFI has convened an emergency meeting of the executive board on Sunday. We will take an appropriate call in 48 hours," MP Singh, TTFI secretary-general, was quoted by The Hindu as saying.
"My personal opinion is since the allegations are so grave, Ghosh should be suspended with immediate effect. If the investigation clears him of any wrongdoing, he can return to the fold immediately," MP Singh further added.
Soumyajit has represented India at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. He is also scheduled to represent India in the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Australia's Gold Coast.
(With IANS inputs)
- Soumyajit Ghosh Booked For Alleged Rape
- Soumyajit Ghosh denied the allegation
- Soumyajit Ghosh is scheduled to take part in 2018 CWG
