BAI serves Jwala show-cause notice over conduct in IBL

The Badminton Association of India will investigate doubles player Jwala Gutta’s alleged role in provoking some players of her IBL side Krrish Delhi Smashers to not play a match against Banga Beats.

A controversy had erupted during the August 25 tie when Delhi smashers had threatened to pull out of the tie over the issue of a player replacement.

Delhi Smashers were upset that the IBL governing council had allowed Banga Beats to replace its injured singles player, Hong Kong’s Hu Yun with Denmark’s Jan Jorgensen at the last minute.

Beats then left out Jorgensen and played Arvind Bhat, who was already part of the team.

S Muralidharan, chairman of BAI’s disciplinary committee, had said said that Gutta had stopped some players from playing that tie.

At its Special General Body and the Executive Council meeting held in Mumbai on August 31, BAI asked its disciplinary committee to investigate the issue.

Gutta has already been served a show cause notice.

“BAI’s disciplinary committee headed by S Muralidharan has been asked to investigate Jwala Gutta’s conduct during the Indian Badminton League. She has been served a show-cause notice and have been asked to explain her conduct during the incident. She will have to respond to the notice within 14 days,” a BAI spokesperson said.

The IBL Governing Council has also been asked to appoint a retired High Court judge to investigate the incident involving the two sides.

“The Governing Council will meet in the next few days to finalize the appointment,” the spokesperson added.

The SGM also granted Delhi Badminton Association the status of Club without voting rights.

PTI