Delhi HC delivers blow to Kalmadi

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday barred Suresh Kalmadi from attending the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games but the sacked CWG Organising Committee chairman claimed that he had sought permission only to attend the IAAF Council meeting in London.

Kalmadi said he had not sought permission for attending the opening ceremony of the Games on July 27.

“I was never planning to attend the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics 2012 and I never sought this permission in any case,” Kalmadi said in a statement.

“I had applied to the court to attend Council Meetings of the International Association of Athletics Federation Council in London during the Olympics. The Ld (learned) Special Judge and the Honourable Delhi High Court have granted me the permission to travel to London for this purpose,” he added.

The Delhi High Court restrained Kalmadi from proceeding to London to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, saying that his participation can cause ‘embarrassment’ to the nation.

The bench of Acting Chief Justice AK Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw also barred Kalmadi from leaving the country till July 27. “From the national point of view, we have decided the matter and he should not participate in the opening ceremony of the Olympics. His participation can cause embarrassment to the country,” the bench said, adding that ‘National interest is the prime concern’.

The IAAF, which is planning to hold its Council Meeting on July 31 and August 10 in London, had said that it would not stop Kalmadi from attending the meeting as he is an elected member of Council.

Kalmadi has said he was attending the IAAF Council Meeting as an Asian Athletic Association President and Asian Area Group representative.

Meanwhile, sprint legend Milkha Singh welcomed the High Court’s decision to bar Kalmadi, saying that his presence in London would have been a ‘shame’ for the country.

“A crook like him should not be allowed to go to the Olympic Games. That would be a shame for the country,” Milkha said on Wednesday. “It’s good, the High Court has barred him (from attending the opening ceremony). I welcome the decision,” the ‘Flying Sikh’ said.

Olympian Vandana Rao also welcomed the High Court decision but said she would have been happier had Kalmadi been barred from attending the entire Olympics.
“It’s a welcome decision that Kalmadi has been barred from attending the opening ceremony. But he should be barred from attending the entire Olympics.”