CBI Initiates Probe Against IOA President For Misappropriation Of Funds

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday said that it has registered a preliminary enquiry (PE) against Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra for alleged misuse of Rs 35 lakh of Hockey India funds.

A CBI source told The New Indian that the agency has received a complaint against Batra and several other unknown officials of the Hockey India, following which it started a PE, which is the first step to establish prima facie criminality. It has been alleged that Rs 35 lakh of Hockey India funds was used for personal benefits of Batra.

Recently, a war of words had erupted between Batra and Hockey India, after the former sent a terse communication to the sports federation, questioning the performance of the men’s hockey team in tournaments.

Following Batra’s communication, Aslam Sher Khan, a former Olympian and member of the 1975 World Cup-winning team also raised questions over his interest in matters of Hockey India.