The power struggle in the Boxing Federation of India intensified on Wednesday with president Ajay Singh and secretary general Pramod Kumar suspending each other, both alleging violations of the federation’s constitution.
Singh suspended Kumar on Tuesday pending an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities, non-cooperation with investigations and misuse of authority.
On Wednesday, Kumar issued a counter-order suspending Singh pending the outcome of a no-confidence motion, which he had planned to move during a Special General Meeting (SGM) on October 28.
He had claimed the support of a majority of affiliated state units to move the no-confidence motion.
Kumar accused Singh of continuing to exercise executive control over the federation despite being served a cease-and-desist notice on October 8.
ALLEGATIONS AGAINST KUMAR
“You are hereby placed under interim suspension from the office of Secretary General with immediate effect, pending completion of the inquiry or until the order is modified or revoked by the competent authority, subject to the applicable provisions of the BFI Constitution,” read the order against Kumar, in possession of PTI.
The order, however, clarified that the suspension was an interim measure and “shall not be construed as a final determination of the allegations”.
In his order, Singh also accused Kumar failing to cooperate with an inquiry into the cancellation of a national championship and attempting to convene an unauthorised meeting to move a no-confidence motion against the president.
In the BFI order, Singh alleged that the federation had received notices from Pinnacle Broadcast Productions seeking approximately Rs 1.5 crore for broadcasting undertaken at the World Boxing Finals Cup in Greater Noida in November last year.
Kumar, in an earlier letter to the president, had stated that Pinnacle committed Rs two crore towards sponsorship and broadcasting of the event. But the company has denied making such a commitment.
“The Federation has recently received notices from Pinnacle Broadcast Productions making a claim for Rs. 1.5 crore (approx.) for broadcasting undertaken in the World Boxing Final’s Cup, Greater Noida, November 2025.
“Whereas, the understanding as per the letter forwarded by you to the President was that Pinnacle had committed and assured Rs. 2 crore for the sponsorship and broadcasting of the event.”
“Pinnacle has now categorically denied making any such commitment, which raises serious doubt as to the authenticity of the letter that you personally represented Pinnacle had issued.”
The BFI order further alleged that a work order bearing Kumar’s signature had been issued without the approval of the body’s finance committee.
Singh also cited an inquiry into the last-minute cancellation of the BFI Elite Men and Women Open Boxing Championship, scheduled to be held in Nahan, Himachal Pradesh, from August 16 to 23.
An inquiry committee had been constituted on August 17 but Kumar had repeatedly sought more time and failed to respond to its questions.
Another ground cited for the suspension was Kumar’s alleged issuance of notices against senior federation officials and a communication seeking to convene a meeting to move a no-confidence motion against Singh.
“..instead of cooperating with the ongoing investigations, you have purported to issue cease-and-desist notices against senior officials of the BFI, show cause notices and a notice purporting to convene a meeting to move a no confidence motion against the President,” the order read.
It said Kumar had no authority under the BFI constitution to issue such notices without the requisite approval or to unilaterally convene SGMs.
The order directed Kumar to refrain from exercising his functions as secretary general, issuing communications on behalf of the federation and accessing official records relevant to the inquiry.
KUMAR SUSPENDS BFI PRESIDENT PENDING NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE
In his counter-order, Kumar accused Singh of treating the federation as his “fiefdom” and continuing to exercise executive control over its day-to-day administration despite the cease-and-desist notice.
“Being habitual of having almost no regard for the democratic set up and treating Boxing Federation of India as your fiefdom,” Kumar wrote in the order, alleging that Singh’s actions violated the federation’s constitution and threatened the “sanctity and fair conduct” of the October 28 SGM.
Citing allegations raised by affiliated state units, Kumar accused Singh of taking executive and policy decisions without mandatory approvals, attempting unauthorised constitutional amendments and threatening state associations with suspensions and ad hoc committees.
Kumar further accused Singh of “willfully disregarding binding directions issued by the High Court of Delhi concerning election circulars, governance parameters, and tenure limits.”
Kumar’s order stated that Singh’s suspension would remain in force pending the final vote on the no-confidence motion at the October 28 SGM or further orders from the competent General Body.
– Ends
