CBI orders inquiry against IOA president Narinder Batra

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a preliminary inquiry against Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra for alleged misuse of ₹35 lakh of Hockey India (HI) funds, officials said on Wednesday (April 6).

The central probe agency had received a complaint against Batra following which it started a preliminary inquiry, which is the first step to establish prima facie criminality, they said.

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It was alleged in the complaint that ₹35 lakh of Hockey India funds were used for the personal benefits of Batra, the officials said.

Khan questions Batra

A turf war between Batra and HI surfaced recently after he sent a terse communication to the sports federation, questioning the performance of the men’s hockey team in tournaments.

After Batra’s missive, Olympian and member of the 1975 World Cup-winning team Aslam Sher Khan questioned Batra over his interest in matters of HI.

Khan said being the FIH (International Hockey Federation) chief, Batra’s interference in HI’s operations is a clear case of ‘conflict of interest’.

“Definitely, it is a conflict of interest by Batra. He is the FIH president and being in that post, he can in no way interfere in the affairs of a national federation,” said Khan, who has challenged in the Delhi High Court some irregular appointments in HI, including that of Batra as a ‘life member’.