Narinder Batra Resigns – CBI Files FIR: Veteran administrator Narinder Batra has stepped down from the role of President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Batra has been embroiled in controversies of late. The Supreme Court recently forced him to step down as the President of the Indian Olympic Association. He also quit his post as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Few hours after his resignation CBI has filed a FIR against him: Follow Live Updates on Cricket & Sports on InsideSport.IN.
“Due to personal reasons, I submit my resignation from the post of IOC Member. Thank you for your support and guidance,” Batra wrote in his resignation letter.
CBI Files FIR: The CBI, in a statement, claimed they found ‘incriminating documents/records’ against Batra following raids at offices of Hockey India and IOA along with his residences in New Delhi and Jammu.
Why CBI has filed a FIR? In April, the CBI had launched a preliminary inquiry against Batra for alleged misappropriation of Hockey India funds to the tune of Rs 35 lakh.
On Monday, the investigating agency said that cases were registered against former Hockey India president Rajinder Singh, ex-secretary general Mohammad Mushtaque Ahmad who went on to become the organisation’s president, and former executive director RK Srivastava ‘for committing illegalities for renovation and furnishing of the office of IOA president in 2018.’
“It was alleged that during 2018, then HI President and then Secretary General, in conspiracy with then IOA President and then Executive Director, got executed the work of renovation & furnishing of the office of then IOA President without prior approval of the Executive Board of Hockey India,” the CBI said in its statement.
“It was further alleged that in order to justify and to cover up the fraudulent expenditure at the approval stage, the accused fabricated and falsified the records.”
Narinder Batra Resigns: Embroiled in controversies & Court cases, Narinder Batra steps down as FIH President, leaves IOC seat: Follow LIVE Updates
Batra was re-elected for a second term as the FIH President in May 2021 with a narrow win over Belgium’s Marc Coudron. He was supposed to hold the office until 2024 as the FIH has reduced the term from four to three years. But he has now stepped down from all administrative posts including the FIH, IOA and IOC.
Narinder Batra Resigns: Embroiled in controversies & Court cases, Narinder Batra steps down as FIH President, leaves IOC seat: Follow LIVE Updates
Dr Narinder Batra steps down as a the member of Intl. @Olympics committee, president of @FIH_Hockey and Indian Olympic Association. Submitted three handwritten resignations to the IOC Prez and the boards of FIH and IOA @iocmedia @IndianOlympians @Media_SAI pic.twitter.com/OX15yHJTeY
— Rajesh Kalra (@rajeshkalra) July 18, 2022
However, it comes as a surprise as Batra reaffirmed several times that he would continue his job as the FIH President. Instead, he shot three separate hand-written letters to the FIH, IOA and IOC, vacating all three posts.
Batra ceased to be president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) when the Delhi High Court, on May 25, struck down the post of ‘Life member’ in Hockey India, courtesy of which he had contested the IOA elections and won in 2017.
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