IOA proposes to refer charge-framed cases to Ethics Commission

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Saturday yet again sought to dilute International Olympic Committee`s directive to bar charge-framed persons from contesting elections and instead decided to refer such cases to the Ethics Commission of the IOA to take a decision.

New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Sunday yet again sought to dilute International Olympic Committee`s directive to bar charge-framed persons from contesting elections and instead decided to refer such cases to the Ethics Commission of the IOA to take a decision.

The IOA, in a special General Body Meeting here, proposed to refer the cases of those persons against whom charges have been framed for offences that carry punishment of a jail term of more than two years to a nine-member Ethics Commission. "Where the charges have been framed by any court in India, in respect of an offence which is of serious nature under the Indian Penal Code/Prevention of Corruption Act, in which the punishment of imprisonment of more than 2 years is prescribed, then the member/office bearer/member of the Executive Council of the IOA, the case will then be referred to the IOA Ethics Commission for further guidance," the amendment made by the special GBM said. "Any member of IOA whose conduct/behaviour compromised with IOC Ethics and the Olympic Charter shall be referred to the IOA Ethics Commission for further guidance." There would, however, be no bar to contest elections on persons against whom charges have been framed for offences, which carry a jail term of less than than two years. "There will be no bar on persons in such cases. Under People`s Representation Act, such persons cannot be barred from contesting elections," a top IOA official said. However, any IOA member convicted for a serious offence will be removed and will not be allowed to contest elections till three years after the completion of the sentence. "On conviction of an offence which is of serious nature under Indian Penal Code/Prevention of Corruption Act, the Executive Council Members/Office Bearers and all members of IOA shall resign immediately and if not they will be excluded and will not be allowed to contest in elections of the Executive Council/Office Bearers of IOA till three years after completion of sentence and the case will be referred to the IOA Ethics Commission," the IOA said.