Rift wide open as BFI chief suspends secy and treasurer

The Boxing Federation of India election is getting more and more intriguing and messier.

- Indraneel Das @Chennai

Days ahead of the election, the BFI president, Ajay Singh, has suspended its secretary Hemant Kalita and treasurer Digvijay Singh over alleged financial irregularities. This, on a day, when the Returning Officer rejected Kalita's name from the final list of nominated candidates on Tuesday.

According to a letter issued by the BFI president on Tuesday, the decision has been taken after an investigation by a former judge. "Justice Jain has concluded his investigation and submitted his report, which has found both of you guilty of serious charges of financial irregularities and mismanagement of funds," the letter said. The investigation was carried out on the basis of a complaint received by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). "The findings of the report establish a clear breach of fiduciary duties and responsibilities expected from individuals holding key positions within the Federation," the BFI chief said in the letter. The investigation was initiated after the SAI had asked the BFI to investigate the charges levelled against the office-bearers. "It is deeply disheartening because I not only trusted them but believed that, as office bearers, they would work towards the growth of boxing in India and its global stature. However, their actions have left me with no choice but to take this course. It is unfortunate that instead of strengthening the sport, they have undermined the very foundation we worked so hard to build," Ajay Singh said.