Olympian Soumyajit Ghosh accused of raping 18-year-old
Indian Olympian Soumyajit Ghosh, table tennis champion, has been accused of rape by an 18-year-old, who says she got pregnant and was forced to undergo an abortion. Ghosh, who was allegedly in a relationship with her since years, had promised to marry her after she turned 18, but is now avoiding her. His phone has been switched off, but police have filed an FIR.
The two reportedly met on social media in 2014
According to the teenager's complaint, she met the 24-year-old player, India's youngest table tennis champion, on social media sometime in 2014. They soon got into a relationship. Sources say they may have even got married in a temple. They used to meet at her residence in Barasat when her parents weren't home, and also at his flats in Siliguri and Kolkata.
Ghosh faces charges of rape, criminal conspiracy, cheating and others
The girl said she consented to physical relations because the Arjuna awardee had promised to marry her officially after she became an adult. "He's avoiding my daughter now. We have no alternative but to go to police," her father said. Cops said they have started an investigation. Meanwhile, charges of rape, criminal conspiracy, causing miscarriage without consent and cheating have been slapped against him.
A brief profile of Ghosh
Ghosh, hailing from Siliguri, represented India at the 2012 Olympics when he was just 20, and then again at the 2016 Olympics. He became the youngest national champion when he defeated Sharath Kamal at the 74th National Table Tennis Championships, at 19.
