IOA issues suspension order against Suresh Kalmadi

New Delhi: The bitter turf war in the IOA seems to be taking one dramatic turn after another with the latest twist being the release of a showcause notice that was sent to sacked Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi by the body’s disbanded Ethics Commission. Kalmadi, who was the IOA President before being arrested on corruption charges in the conduct of the 2010 event, was released on bail a couple of days ago after spending nine months behind bars. [caption id=“attachment_190136” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Kalmadi, who was the IOA President was released on bail a couple of days ago after spending nine months behind bars. Reuters”]  [/caption] The under-siege administrator’s position in the IOA is not clear and V K Malhotra is the acting President for almost a year now. Kalmadi has decided to step aside for the time being but has not officially resigned and amid speculation on his future, a showcause notice that was sent to him while he was still in jail has come to light. The letter dated 6 December, 2011 was interestingly sent by an Ethics Committee which was disbanded by the IOA General Body after a meeting on 15 December. The notice was also marked for IOA vice President Lalit Bhanot and Joint Secretary V K Verma – both of whom were also in jail on similar charges of corruption before being released on bail yesterday. “…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 lndian 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. PTI