Indian Support staff member allegedly involved in sex assault

Melbourne, Mar 14 (UNI) A day before the start of the Commonwealth Games, India hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons as a support staff of the Indian contingent was accused of sexually assaulting a teenager at the athletes' village.

The Indians woke up to a stormy morning after police launched an investigation into allegations by a 16-year-old cleaner that she was assaulted last night while cleaning the room of the Indian official.

The girl complained that the man attempted to hug, kiss and fondle her. A special village-based police criminal investigation unit has been called in to investigate.

The Indians were shell shocked to hear about the incident and went into damage control mode. Chef de mission H J Dora said he been advised by the police not to to provide the official's name to the media.

Dora, however, added that ''this incident is now the subject of an investigation by the relevant authorties and we are taking this matter very seriously.'' He further said, ''Should this allegation be proved, the Indian Olympic Association(IOA) will take the strongest possible action,'' adding, ''We will extend our utmost cooperation to the Australian authorities in this matter.'' But even as the Victorian Police investigate the allegations of a 28-year-old masseur having assaulted a 16-year-old in the Parkville Games village, there is a debate on who actually cleared him to accompany the Indian team.

According to sources, the accused was not cleared by the IOA as the masseur to accompany the Indian contingent. The masseur selected by the IOA was dropped at the eleventh hour and another named by the SAI was sent to Melbourne.

The IOA officials here were said to have been surprised by his presence and now the latest accusations of indecent assault have added a new twist to the drama.

Meanwhile it is learnt that the Police has impounded the passport of the concerned person and at a hurriedly convened media conference Commonwealth Games Federation(CGF) spokesperson said, ''Investigation in this matter is on and we hope to complete it as soon as possible.'' In case charges are proved than the person concerned will have to face the Australian law, the alleged offender faces possible court action and could be immediately stripped of his special Games visa, meaning he would be deported.

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