The Indian contingent at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya has faced a major disciplinary crisis following the deportation of star para-swimmer Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh over allegations of sexual misconduct.
Shaikh, a former world number one in the men’s 100m butterfly (S5) and 50m breaststroke (SB4), was detained and questioned by local Japanese police alongside Indian delegation officials.
The incident unfolded at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel—where the Indian squad is accommodated—after a female housekeeping staff member of Nepali origin lodged a formal complaint alleging that Shaikh attempted to inappropriately touch and grope her. Following her immediate escape and report to hotel management, local law enforcement intervened, leading to Shaikh’s prompt expulsion from the Games before he could participate in any events.
Reacting swiftly to the controversy, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) issued a strict statement emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy toward behavioral violations and sexual misconduct. The Chef de Mission has recommended the strictest possible penalties, and the PCI has announced its intention to slap Shaikh with an immediate lifetime ban pending a formal hearing upon his arrival in India. This marks the second disciplinary setback for the Indian delegation at the multi-sport events in Japan, following a similar misconduct repatriation involving an Indian Hockey Federation official during the Asian Games weeks prior.
