IOA rubbishes Anand's claim on disbanded Ethics Commission

The war of words between Indian Olympic Association officials got more bitter today with acting President V K Malhotra rubbishing senior functionary R K Anand's claim that he knew about the disbanded Ethics Commission's 'suspension' of Suresh Kalmadi but deliberately held it back.

"I am surprised by this malicious statement of Mr Anand. Nobody ever sent me a note or gave me the copy of 'disbanded' ethics committee's report regarding Mr Kalmadi and others," Malhotra said in a statement.

"In the General Body meeting of the IOA held on December 16, 2011, it was decided to revamp and reconstitute all the committees and commissions (including the Ethics committee and Court of Arbitration Commission). Mr Anand was very much present in the meeting, why did he not raise this issue then and there?" asked Malhotra.

Anand had yesterday said that Malhotra was in the know of the showcause issued by the disbanded Ethics Commission and threatened to apprise the IOC of the matter.
But Malhotra hit back, stating that Anand should have brought this up during the General Body meeting.

"What prevented Mr Anand to tell the house about the report of the Ethics commission, which he is flaunting now? Why he maintained silence on this issue which he is raking up now?

"As mandated by the General House, I reconstituted the commissions and committees and specifically mentioned that rules of these committees/commissions will be framed shortly," Malhotra said.

Malhotra said it is intriguing that while Anand kept quiet when the house decided to recast the commissions. "I emphatically deny any knowledge about the report of this disbanded commission".

He also expressed his displeasure about dragging the names of the former judges in this issue. "In my six decades of public life, I have always held the Judiciary in highest regards. I have utmost respect for former judges also. I have never cast any aspersion on present of former judges.

"All the (retired) judges were retained in both the enlarged committees. So where is the question of doubting them?" he asked. Malhotra said the IOA has kept the International Olympic Committee (IOC) informed about the developments and Anand "need not give us threat on this issue".

He said the Executive Board of the IOA is meeting shortly to discuss all these issues. "I appeal to all the members to maintain the unity of the IOA and not give the chance to the vested interests who want to take over the IOA and National Sports federations (NSF) or dilute their autonomy," he said.