Surajit Ganguly was employed with the Goa Swimming Association.

Highlights Surajit Ganguly charged with rape of 15-year-old student

Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has assured strict action against him

"Must ensure he is not employed anywhere in the country," he tweeted

A rape case has been filed against the chief coach of Goa state swimming team, who was sacked after photos and a video of him allegedly molesting a minor girl emerged online. The photos of the alleged incident had prompted Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju to step in and promise stringent action against him.

"A stringent action will be taken through Sports Authority. Firstly, it's a heinous crime of serious nature so I'll urge the Police to take stringent penal action against the coach urgently," he tweeted.

The minister also asked the Swimming Federation of India to ensure that the coach is not employed anywhere in the country.

I've taken a strong view of the incident. The Goa Swimming Association has terminated the contract of coach Surajit Ganguly. I'm asking the Swimming Federation of India to ensure that this coach is not employed anywhere in India. This applies to all Federations & disciplines. https://t.co/q6H1ixZVsi - Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 5, 2019

Surajit Ganguly, a coach employed with the Goa Swimming Association (GSA), was sacked after a photo of him molesting a minor girl surfaced on social media.

Swimming Federation of India President Digambar Kamat said that he had sought a report from the state body about the incident. "Soon after watching the video, we immediately wrote to the Sports authority of Goa to discontinue his services with immediate effect. He was recommended after many parents requested he be allowed to train students as he was a good coach," Mr Kamat said.

Goa's Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, VM Prabhudessai, also said that Mr Kamat had verbally communicated to him about the termination of the chief coach's services. "Kamat has just informed me about the decision to terminate the services of the chief coach," Mr Prabhudessai said.

The Goa Swimming Association confirmed that Surajit Ganguly's contract has been terminated. "...we terminated Surajit's contract immediately after watching the video. Both the girl and coach are from Bengal," GSA Secretary Syed Abdul Majid was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Surajit Ganguly was appointed by the GSA about two and a half years ago for its Mapusa facility, PTI reported.

"We had appointed him because he had a good track record as a coach. There have been no prior complaints against him," he added.

According to a media report, Surajit Ganguly had won 12 medals in international swimming competitions. He won his first medal at the Asian Swimming Championships in Hong Kong in 1984.

(With inputs from Agencies)