IHF forms panel to probe scandal

With pressure mounting on all fronts and the government taking a pro-active role in its administration, IHF chief KPS Gill today launched a damage-control exercise by forming a three-member committee to probe the bribe scandal involving secretary K Jothikumaran.

Gill’s appointment comes as a face-saving move apparently aimed at pacifying the growing voices of dissent. The committee, headed by retired High Court judge Justice KMN Natarajan, will consist of former Tamil Nadu DGP WI Davaram and IHF joint secretary Rajeev Mehta.

“The committee will meet at the earliest to inquire into every aspect shown in the telecast before submitting its findings to the federation,” Gill said.

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Gill has been under fire from all sides, with even the game’s international governing body, the FIH, calling for appropriate steps to deal with the situation.

“We have taken notice and we are in close contact with the Indian Olympic Association to take proper action as they see it appropriate,” FIH president Els van Breda Vriesman said in an official reaction.