Hyderabad: Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh, a 40-year-old para swimmer from Bihar, has returned to India before competing at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, following allegations of sexual harassment and molestation involving a female hotel employee.
Japanese police detained Shaikh after the complaint was brought to the attention of the local organising committee and officials accompanying the Indian delegation. He was sent back to India on Tuesday, a day after the alleged incident took place on Monday at the hotel where the Indian para-swimming team was staying.
According to media organisations, the woman was performing housekeeping duties in Shaikh’s room when the alleged misconduct occurred.
The incident has also raised the prospect of disciplinary action by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). The committee is reportedly considering strict measures against the swimmer, including a possible lifetime ban. A final decision is expected after the Games. However, the allegations have not been adjudicated, and the PCI has not confirmed any disciplinary action.
Shaikh has represented India at several international competitions and previously held the world No. 1 ranking in the men’s 100m butterfly S5 and 50m breaststroke SB4 categories, according to World Para Swimming records.
His achievements include two gold medals at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, where he won the 200m and 50m breaststroke events. More recently, he secured gold in the 200m breaststroke at the 2025 Reykjavik International Games, setting Indian and Asian records.