Exclusive: India’s fastest swimmer gets 1-year ban for ‘misconduct’

Arjuna Award-winning swimmer Virdhawal Khade has been accused of ‘misconduct' by an 18-year-old woman whom he coached for two years at a suburban gymkhana. Sources alleged that the high-profile coach had sent some obscene photographs to the woman via a messaging application, traumatising her. The Greater Mumbai Amateur Aquatic Association (GMAAA) has taken disciplinary action against Khade, whose appointment as a co-opted member of its managing committee has been suspended. He has also been banned from participating in any meeting held under the aegis of the GMAAA until next year.

Khade has also been denied access to the deck area of swimming pools for any meets conducted under the auspices of GMAAA and he will not be considered for any appointment as coach/manager/mentor of any GMAAA teams participating in the state or national meets.

"Disciplinary action has been taken against Khade based on the complaint received from an aggrieved parent accusing him of inappropriate behaviour and misconduct for which he has tendered an unconditional apology and expressed regret and remorse," said GMAAA spokesperson.

Virdhawal Khade, who received the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2011

Following the swimmer's allegation, her parents informed the elite sporting club.

When contacted, the gymkhana's president said, "After receiving a complaint against Khade, appropriate action was taken against him with immediate effect."

Meanwhile, a source said, "Khade was under the influence of alcohol when he sent her the obscene photos which disappeared after she viewed them. The girl felt offended and approached her parents, who complained to the gymkhana."

"When the gymkhana committee members confronted him, Khade claimed he wasn't in his senses as he was under the influence of alcohol at the time. However, the committee members pointed out that he still had the presence of mind to send the photos through a platform that allows them to disappear after being viewed," the source told mid-day.

"Khade was asked to resign following the incident," the source added.

When contacted, Khade said, "On the day of the incident, I was not in Mumbai, I was in Bhubaneshwar. The authorities know the correct version. Whatever mistake and miscommunication happened, I have already apologised to the swimmer and her parents for that."

Disciplinary action

A GMAAA source said, "The unsavoury incident occurred on the night of August 8. After the teen's parents complained to the GMAAA, its managing committee constituted a seven-member disciplinary committee to look into the complaint and recommend suitable penal action deemed fit to meet the ends of justice. Accordingly, an interlocutor appointed by the GMAAA reached out to Khade to apprise him of the complaint and, whether, keeping the principles of justice in mind, he wanted a show-cause notice to be issued to him or given an opportunity to be heard in person."

Khade, however, declined to appear in person and told the GMAAA that he had full faith in the committee and would abide by its decision.

The source added that on September 30, Khade sent a letter expressing "regret, remorse and repentance" at what had transpired, terming it as an isolated case of deviant behaviour, apologising unconditionally for the same.

On October 28, the GMAAA sent a letter to Khade that read, "The disciplinary committee, after going through the complaint of the aggrieved parent and your written submission, had a detailed discussion and after much deliberation came to the conclusion that your actions on the night of August 8 were inappropriate and betrayed misconduct which vitiated the sacred bond between coach and trainee."

Khade speaks

When contacted, Khade said, "Yes, there was some issue which happened in August but everything was resolved between me and the person concerned. I had already resigned as a coach in August, and the person used to be a swimmer at the gymkhana last year; she was not a swimmer there when the incident happened."

"There was a misunderstanding between me and the swimmer. She felt a little offended by a certain thing I had said, but I apologised to her and her parents later. So, the matter was resolved between us in front of gymkhana committee members."

Asked if the matter had been resolved, why her parents approached the GMAAA with their complaint, Khade said, "Yes, after the incident took place, her parents approached the gymkhana and GMAAA simultaneously. But everything was resolved in the presence of gymkhana committee members. Since GMAAA had already received a complaint against me, they took the decision much later."

"I trust the judgment of the GMAAA. The GMAAA and the Swimming Federation of India know the details of the incident that had happened in August. I have faith in them to take the decision that they feel is appropriate," said Khade, underscoring, "They did not approach the Mumbai police to register any complaint against me. You can get in touch with the cops if you want."

mid-day tried to reach out to one of the parents of teenager, but she remained unavailable for comment.

The GMAAA has sent a copy of the letter to Swimming Federation of India.

Who is Virdhawal Khade?

Olympian Virdhawal Khade, 33, is a former national record holder in 50m, 100 and 200m freestyle events. He has represented India at the Asian Games (2018) and Commonwealth Games (2008).

Khade became the youngest-ever Indian swimmer to qualify for the Olympics. Though he did not qualify for the semi-finals of the 100m freestyle at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he did finish first in his heat (Heat 3) and set a new personal best of 50.07 seconds, placing him 42nd overall.

At the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, Khade won a bronze medal in the 50m butterfly, ending a 24-year wait for Indian swimming. Sachin Nag was the first Indian to win a swimming gold medal in the 1951 Asian Games held in New Delhi. He won six gold medals and broke three Games Records at the 2006 South Asian Games. In 2011, Khade was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award.

Oct 28
Day GMAAA sent letter to Virdhawal Khade

Inputs by Sundarii Iyer