National Para-Athletics Controversy: Five members suspended from Paralympic Committee of India

The Paralympic Committee of India today suspended four office bearers and one official of PCI to ensure a fair probe into allegations of misappropriation of funds, the move coming in the wake of controversy created due to gross mismanagement at 15th National Para-Athletics Championships. The suspended members are Nale Nand Kishore (vice-president), M Madhusa Srinivasa Rao (joint secretary), Narayanan T (member), Rajesh Lamechwal (member) and Satyanarayana (executive officer). [caption id=“attachment_438670” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representative Image. Getty Images[/caption] “It is stated that these five members of the Paralympic Committee of India have been suspended with immediate effect pending enquiry for creating hindrance for conduct of forthcoming 1st Indian Open Para Games – 2015. “The suspended members have allegedly indulged in anti-federation activities including misappropriation of funds of PCI and attempting to sabotage the national pride and prestige in the eyes of the international community in the run-up to the 1st Indian Open Para Games 2015,” PCI president Rajesh Tomar said in a release. The Games are slated to be held in the Capital from May 2 to 9. The Annual General Body Meeting of PCI has been called on May 18. Earlier, in a shocking case of official apathy, differently-abled sportspersons participating in this edition of the event have been put up at unfurnished and unhygienic accommodations in Ghaziabad, prompting the Sports Ministry to seek a report from the organisers. The PCI then constituted a three-member enquiry committee to investigate the reasons for the gross mismanagement. Tomar further said, Tomar said: “The suspension will ensure that the evidence is not tampered with and that a free, fair and an independent enquiry is conducted by Hon’ble Mr. Justice J K Mehra (a retired judge of the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi), based on which necessary disciplinary action will be taken against the guilty. “An Annual General Meeting has also been fixed in late May to ensure that such mis-happenings do not occur in the future.” PTI