Delhi HC directs inquiry into Batra’s ‘fixing’ allegations
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the constitution of a three-member committee to look into table tennis player Manika Batra’s allegation of a match-fixing attempt by the national coach and sought an interim report in four weeks.
Justice Rekha Palli, who was hearing Batra’s petition alleging that Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) was carrying out its selection processes in a nontransparent manner and targeting certain individuals, said that based on the committee’s report, she would consider the issue of appointing an administrator to run the sports body.
The committee will comprise two judges and one sportsperson and details would be given in the order, said the judge who had earlier directed the Sports Ministry to hold an inquiry against the sports body.
The court said that while the Centre made observations concerning certain aspects of the sports body, it failed to consider the complaint of Batra in its inquiry.
Batra, who was left out of the Indian contingent for the Asian Table Tennis Championships, alleged in her petition that the national coach Soumyadeep Roy “pressurised” her to “throw away” an Olympic qualifier match in favour of one of his trainees.
Batra, India’s top-ranking woman paddler, had told the court that she was being targeted by the national federation for raising her grievances in the court and now the international federation was also treating her like an accused.
Senior counsel Sandeep Sethi, appearing for TTFI, informed the court that the executive board of the sports body has decided to recall the show cause and all consequential actions against the paddler.
He added that TTFI would also write to the international body informing them about the development and urged the court to allow the sports body to prove its bona fide.
Senior lawyer Sachin Datta, representing Batra, urged the court to appoint an administrator to take over the functioning of TTFI.
“At this stage and keeping in view the World Championship is slated to begin within a week, request of the petitioner to appoint an administrator to run the federation is deferred,” the court said.