New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has lodged a preliminary inquiry against Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra and some officials of Hockey India (HI).
The charge against Batra, a former HI president who is also international hockey federation (FIH) chief currently, is that he diverted nearly Rs 35 lakh of HI funds for his personal benefit.
ANI quoted a senior CBI officer as saying that Batra will soon be summoned for questioning.
CBI initiated an inquiry after receiving a complaint against Batra.
Batra had questioned the Indian team’s performance in some tournaments recently.
Olympian and 1975 World Cup-winning team member Aslam Sher Khan took exception to Batra taking interest in matters of Hockey India.
Aslam contended that Batra being FIH chief, his interference in Hockey India’s operations is a clear case of conflict of interest.
“Definitely, it is conflict of interest by Batra. He is the FIH president and being in that post, he can in no way interfere in the affairs of a national federation,” said Aslam Sher, who has challenged some ‘irregular appointments’ in HI, including that of Batra as a life member in Delhi High Court.
Batra was the first Asian to be elected as FIH president in 2016. He was re-elected for a second term in May last year, edging out Belgium Hockey Federation chief March Coudron by just two votes.
