AIFF member Deepak Sharma Arrested after Allegations of 'Misbehaviour, Physical Assault' by Two Women Footballers

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In a serious turn of events, Deepak Sharma, an executive committee member of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), was arrested by Goa police on charges of assault and misbehaviour.

The incident involved two female footballers from Khad FC, who were in Goa for the Indian Women's League 2. North Goa Superintendent of Police, Akshat Kaushal, confirmed the arrest, stating that the complaint was lodged at Mapusa police station.

"A complaint was received on Saturday at Mapusa police station wherein players of Khad FC, a football club participating in the Indian Women's League, alleged that they were assaulted and misbehaved with by one of the accompanying members of the team during their stay in Goa. The accused, Deepak Sharma, has been arrested and necessary legal action is being taken," Akshat Kaushal said.

Sharma faces charges under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), and 354A (sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code. The Union Minister for Sports, Anurag Thakur, has urged the AIFF to take swift action, emphasizing the importance of player safety. A three-member committee led by AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey is to investigate.

The incident reportedly occurred on March 29, when the two players were assaulted by Sharma in their accommodation. According to a complaint accessed by The Indian Express, Sharma, in a state of inebriation, objected to the players boiling eggs after dinner hours, leading to the assault. He allegedly slapped one of the players and his wife also had a heated spat with the players.

The complaint also highlighted Sharma's continuous consumption of alcohol during the team's journey from Himachal to Delhi and Goa.

Sharma, also the general secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Football Association, and his wife Nandita, the team's official manager, have not commented on the allegations. The Goa Football Association acted promptly upon receiving the complaint, with Vice-president Jonathan D'Souza lodging a formal complaint with Mapusa police station.

This incident has stirred the sports community, drawing attention to the need for stricter safety protocols and behavioural standards within sports organizations.