EFI Official Accused of Sexual Harassment Travels with Indian Team to Jordan Qualifiers
An executive committee member of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), who faces serious sexual harassment allegations, has traveled with the Indian contingent to the International Tent Pegging World Cup qualifiers in Jordan. This development has prompted strong objections from the sport's global governing body and raised significant concerns about athlete safety.
International Federation Raises Serious Concerns
The Oman-based International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF) has formally objected to the presence of Colonel (retd) Tarsem Singh Warraich, who serves as EC member for Tent Pegging, at the World Cup qualifiers. The objection came after a parent of a junior category girl rider wrote to the international body expressing fears for her daughter's safety and the well-being of other female equestrian athletes.
The ITPF has sent a strongly worded letter to the EFI demanding immediate explanation and action. The global federation emphasized that the complaint contains serious concerns related to athlete safety and requested that the matter be treated with utmost seriousness.
Controversial Travel Despite Legal Troubles
Warraich, who is currently out on bail, traveled with the four-member Indian team (including two girls) as manager-cum-coach despite objections from some EFI members. Sources indicate that he bullied his way into accompanying the team, with some EC members backing his travel for the qualifiers.
The EFI's secretary general, Col (retd) Jaiveer Singh, has distanced himself from the decision, stating: "I wasn't consulted on team selection. I was kept in the dark. I had no role in the selection process or the choice of Mr Tarsem's appointment as manager-cum-coach. EFI's EC would better explain this matter."
Background of Legal Allegations
According to available documents, Warraich was booked under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code by police authorities at Sector 27, Sonipat for allegedly sexually harassing two women students on the Jindal Global University campus in February 2023. The charges include:
- Section 323 (voluntary causing hurt)
- Section 354A (sexual harassment and unwelcome physical contact)
- Section 376 (punishment for rape)
- Section 511 (assaulting or using criminal force to outrage a woman's modesty)
An FIR was immediately filed against Warraich on the complaint of the women students, who belonged to Army families, leading to his subsequent arrest and imprisonment.
Bail Conditions and Violation Concerns
Warraich was later granted bail by a fast track court of Additional Sessions Judge Justice Dr Jasbir Singh under strict conditions. The bail was granted on the basis that the accused would attend to his ailing sister-in-law suffering from cancer and would remain present in India. The interim bail extends until March 12, 2026, after which Warraich is instructed to surrender.
His travel to Jordan for the qualifiers has raised questions about potential violations of these bail conditions. The qualifiers, scheduled from January 29-31, will see India competing against Algeria, Germany, Indonesia, Kuwait, Norway, and Saudi Arabia.
Parental Outrage and Federation Failures
One parent wrote to the ITPF expressing deep concern: "I'm deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of my daughter as well as other girl riders of the country when due to the infighting amongst the officials of the federation the state of affairs in the national federation has gone so low that we have an individual who is on bail for a sexual crime will be representing the country as a coach."
Adding to the controversy, it has been learned that the team was sent by the federation without conducting any selection trials. Apparently, riding clubs in Delhi and Haryana were not available for trials due to prior bookings, raising further questions about the selection process.
The Tent Pegging World Cup is scheduled for November in Jordan, making the current qualifiers crucial for India's participation. However, the presence of an official facing serious criminal charges has overshadowed the sporting event and raised fundamental questions about athlete protection and federation accountability.
