The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has suspended secretary general Pramod Kumar with immediate effect, a day after he accused president Ajay Singh and executive director Col. Arun Malik of “criminal intimidation” over a proposed no-confidence motion against Singh. BFI president Singh cited alleged financial irregularities, non-cooperation with investigations and misuse of authority as grounds for the suspension, pending an inquiry.
In a suspension order issued on Tuesday, Singh listed several allegations against Kumar, including issuing a work order for a broadcasting arrangement without the required approval. Kumar has also been accused of 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.
“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,” the order stated.
The order clarified that the suspension was an interim protective measure and did not constitute a final determination of the allegations. It added that the charges would be examined under the applicable procedures, with the suspension subject to safeguards and review requirements under the BFI Constitution.
SUSPENSION FOLLOWS PM MODI COMPLAINT
In his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kumar alleged that Singh and Malik had resorted to intimidation to prevent a proposed no-confidence motion against the BFI president. He claimed that several state associations supporting the motion had faced threats of suspension and the possible appointment of ad-hoc committees.
Kumar also alleged that his access to the federation’s official email account had been revoked without his knowledge or consent, hampering his ability to discharge his responsibilities. He argued that, as secretary general, he was bound by the BFI Constitution to act on formal requisitions submitted by member units seeking a no-confidence motion.
Malik rejected the allegations, describing them as “baseless”. He also denied that Kumar’s official email access had been revoked, saying the matter could be checked.
The dispute centres on a proposed special general meeting that Kumar sought to convene on October 28 to put the no-confidence motion against Singh to a vote. Malik, however, maintained that the meeting would be unconstitutional.
POWER STRUGGLE DEEPENS WITHIN BFI
The suspension adds another layer to the escalating dispute over the federation’s leadership, with allegations and counter-allegations now emerging from both sides. While Singh has ordered an inquiry into the charges against Kumar, the secretary general’s complaint to the Prime Minister has raised questions about the handling of the proposed no-confidence motion.
The latest development leaves Kumar suspended from his role while the inquiry remains pending. The suspension order does not establish that the allegations against him are proven, and the wider leadership dispute remains unresolved.
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