The Sports Ministry has asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an independent committee to probe allegations of sexual harassment and institutional intimidation raised by former India hockey captain Asunta Lakra.In her complaint, she had also claimed that Hockey India (HI) secretary general Bhola Nath Singh had threatened her with “consequences” for raising sexual harassment of girls in Jharkhand at the hands of coach Sudhir Golla.“The ministry has directed the IOA to form a neutral, fair and transparent committee to probe the allegations levelled by Lakra,” a source in the ministry said on Thursday. Separately, the ministry has also sought a clarification from the hockey board on the issue.IOA officials confirmed the development and said they would form a committee soon and had started the process to identify members.“We have to identify a chairperson and ensure that the majority is of women members, including those who have a legal background. We have started the process and the proceedings will start when everything is in place,” an IOA source told The Tribune.The development is significant as HI was in the process of constituting an internal complaints committee (ICC) after the ministry asked it to probe the allegations. However, HI president Dilip Tirkey on Wednesday sought an independent inquiry.“Since both the complainant and the respondent are members of the HI Executive Board, it will not be appropriate for HI to conduct the inquiry through its own ICC, as this may give rise to concerns regarding impartiality,” Tirkey said in his letter to HI board members.“Accordingly, I have requested the Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of India, to constitute an independent committee to probe the matter. HI will extend full cooperation to the committee and remains committed to ensuring a fair, transparent and impartial process. I request all executive board members to maintain strict confidentiality and refrain from any action of communication that may influence the inquiry,” he said.In her complaint, Lakra alleged a personal threat by Bhola Nath Singh and stated that despite his suspension, coach Golla had attempted to pressure women hockey players to withdraw their complaints.“It came to my notice that Golla had sexually harassed women hockey players at the Eklavya Hockey Academy in Ranchi. I immediately brought the matter to the notice of the Jharkhand Government as Golla was a government employee. Rather than receiving institutional support for reporting these concerns, I was subjected to intimidation,” Lakra said.“On May 9, HI secretary general Bhola Nath Singh called me and threatened me for informing the authorities. He told me: ‘Aukat me raho’ and said ‘Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey India aur World Hockey se mujhe koi nahin nikal sakta’ (no one can remove me from Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey India and World Hockey),” Lakra said.