Bhanot to explain legal status of his cases to IOC

New Delhi: The controversial Lalit Bhanot has been unanimously elected secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) with the proviso that he would present his case before the International Olympic Committee (IOC), explaining the legal position of the corruption cases he is facing in connection with the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Bhanot said after the election that he has scrupulously followed the law of the land and the house has authorised him to present his case to the IOC chiefs. Bhanot, who is out on bail, said that he would quit from the post of IOA secretary general if he is proven guilty. "I have not been proven guilty. I will quit if I am proven guilty by the law of the land," he said. The outgoing acting IOA president Vijay Kumar Malhotra said the general body has passed a resolution that the Bhanot would explain his legal position to the IOC. In fact, both Bhanot and president-elect Abhay Singh Chautala have pending court cases. Bhanot is charge-sheeted by the CBI under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly wrongfully awarding contract to install the TSR system for the 2010 Games to Swiss Timing and Chautala has an illegal assets case. IANS