Indian para-swimmer Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh was taken into custody by the Japanese police and sent back to India. He is accused of the alleged sexual harassment and molestation of a female hotel employee.
Who is Mohammad Shams Alam? He is accused of molesting a woman at the Asian Para Games
Serious allegations have been leveled against Indian swimmer Mohammad Shams Alam Shaikh, a participant in the 2026 Para Asian Games. He is accused of the sexual harassment and molestation of a female hotel employee, following which he was taken into custody by the Japanese police. The Paralympic Committee of India may now take strict action against him, which could include a lifetime ban.
A female hotel employee has accused the 40-year-old Indian swimmer, Mohammad Shams Alam Shaikh, of sexual harassment and molestation. The incident reportedly took place on October 19, and details emerged on Thursday. Alam was deported on October 20. According to a report by 'The Times of India', the Paralympic Committee of India is considering imposing a lifetime ban on Shams Alam.
Indian Contingent Offers Apology
The incident took place on Monday at the hotel where the Indian para-swimming team was staying. The woman who made the allegation is a member of the hotel’s housekeeping staff. According to reports, the incident occurred while she was working in the room where Shaikh was staying. Following the woman’s complaint, the Japanese police took Shaikh into custody on Monday, and he was sent back to India on Tuesday.
The Japanese police intended to arrest him and produce him before a court, but the local organizing committee intervened. The Indian contingent provided a written apology to the staff member, and arrangements were made to send the athlete back from Japan.
Who is Shams Alam Shaikh?
Mohammad Shams Alam Shaikh hails from Bihar. He has achieved a world number-one ranking in both the 50-meter breaststroke (SB4 category) and the 100-meter butterfly (S5 category). He won gold medals in the 200-meter and 50-meter breaststroke events at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta. Last year, he also won a gold medal in the 200-meter breaststroke at the Reykjavik International Games.
