Equestrian Federation of India backs tainted official without holding inquiry

NEW DELHI: The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), which faced criticism over its choice of sexual harassment-accused Col (retd) Tarsem Singh Warraich as the manager-cum-coach for the International Tent Pegging World Cup qualifiers in Jordan, has sought to offer a clean chit to the official without holding a formal inquiry. The EFI backed his selection by suggesting that he was the best person to accompany the four-member team to the event in Jordan.The EFI’s move came even as the case against Warraich, involving alleged harassment and molestation charges, continued to be heard in court on a complaint filed by two girl victims from an army background.Warraich is out on bail until March 12, 2026, before he’s directed to surrender before the authorities by a fast-track court of Additional Sessions judge, Justice Dr Jasbir Singh.The sports ministry is awaiting a report from the EFI on Warraich’s presence with the team in Jordan. According to a mail accessed by TOI, EFI’s acting president Col (retd) Jagat Singh wrote to Oman-based International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF), stating that as per Warraich, a false case of sexual harassment was registered against him at Sonepat in Feb 2023 and that the bail order placed no restriction on him to perform his duties as an EFI’s executive committee (EC) member, Tent-Pegging.