Indian Swimmer Sent Back From Japan After Allegations

Indian para swimmer Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh was sent back to India after Japanese police detained him following a complaint alleging sexual harassment and molestation of a hotel employee during the Asian Para Games in Nagoya. He returned on October 20, the day after the reported incident, and did not compete in his scheduled events. Reports citing a source within the Indian delegation said the alleged incident occurred at the hotel where the Indian paraswimming team was staying. The employee was reportedly carrying out housekeeping duties in Shaikh’s room. The complaint was brought to the attention of the local organising committee and Indian delegation officials before police intervened. The reports describe his detention but do not establish what the police investigation found. The allegations have not been adjudicated, and no formal legal finding is reported. The account of the complaint and detention in the reports traces back to a source within the Indian delegation; a detailed statement from Japanese police was not included. The employee’s own account was also not reported. On October 22, the Paralympic Committee of India said its Chef de Mission had recommended the...