Four IOA office bearers rubbish showcause to Kalmadi

New Delhi: Four office bearers of the IOA on Sunday rubbished reports that the sacked Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi was showcaused by its now disbanded Ethics Commission`s and sought for an inquiry by the acting president into the matter.

Terming the reports of now disbanded Ethics Commission showcausing Kalmadi as baseless, four executive members of the IOA said any such notice by the commission was "fabricated" and report prepared by it "illegal and unauthorised". "We are shocked to learn of the news of suspension of Mr Suresh Kalmadi, Member of Parliament, from the presidentship of the IOA by the Ethics Commission of the IOA in some sections of media. This is a totally baseless and mischievous report, far from truth and facts," a release issued by the four IOA office bearers said. The release was signed by two IOA Joint Secretaries -- Rakesh Gupta and S M Bedi -- and two executive body members in Rajeev Mehta and Anandeshwar Reddy. "The Ethics Commission formed earlier was scrapped by the General Body unanimously in its annual general meeting on 15th December, 2011 in Delhi and acting president was authorised to constitute the new ethics commission. The acting president appointed a new ethics commission and the process is underway to form its rules and regulations so that it can function accordingly. "The Ethics Commission has not held even one meeting till date, as such there is no question of taking any action as reported. Even otherwise no such action can be taken without issuing showcause notice and in this case no such notice has been issued to anybody. Needless to say any report of such commission was placed before IOA General Body for ratification," it said. The members asked the IOA acting president V K Malhotra to institute an inquiry into how the "illegal and unauthorized report" was leaked in the media. "We strongly condemn people behind such obnoxious move which vitiates sporting atmosphere and create unnecessary controversies. We therefore call upon the acting president of IOA to institute an inquiry as to how this illegal and unauthorised report was leaked in the media and strict action may be taken on the persons for spreading this falsehood and baseless report," the statement said. "The law of the land treats a person innocent unless he is proven guilty by the court. As such, Mr Kalmadi should be presumed to be innocent till the time his trial is complete. Even the Delhi High Court in its bail order has said that there is no allegation of money trail in the case," it said. A showcause notice of December 6 2011 sent to Kalmadi by the disbanded Ethics Commission ws released earlier in the day. "...this is to issue a show-cause notice against all the three of you namely, Mr Suresh Kalmadi, Mr Lalit Bhanot and Mr VK Verma to show cause as to why your membership from lndian Olympic Association and National Sports Federation should not be cancelled," the notice states. "Till the matter is, however, disposed of by this Ethics Commission it is hereby to issue an order of suspension from further acting as President, Associate Vice President and Joint Secretary, being office bearers of lndian Olympic Association or even to enter the premises of Indian Olympic Association until further orders passed by this Commission in any other way connected therewith and until further orders passed by this Commission," it added. Kalmadi, who was the IOA President before landing up in jail on corruption charges in the conduct of 2010 Commonwealth Games, was released on bail a couple of days ago after spending nine months behind bars. PTI