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Sundeep Verma is accused of illegally entering the Olympic Village and attending the opening ceremony using another athlete’s pass, as well as obtaining a uniform from a golfer’s father.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has upheld the suspension of Sundeep Verma, a senior member of the Indian Golf Union (IGU), following allegations of misconduct during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Verma is accused of illegally entering the Olympic Village and attending the opening ceremony using another athlete’s pass, as well as obtaining a uniform from a golfer’s father.
A Division Bench comprising Justices Yashwant Varma and Ravinder Dudeja ruled against interfering in the suspension, emphasizing the severity of the allegations. The court noted that Verma’s actions could have jeopardized India’s participation in the Olympics. “Considering the broader implications, including the potential risk to the entire contingent’s involvement in the games, no intervention is warranted,” the court remarked.
Verma was suspended on August 30, pending an internal inquiry, and subsequently challenged this suspension in the High Court. He argued that the allegations were unfounded and that the IGU’s memorandum of association (MoA) did not provide a basis for his suspension. However, a single judge of the High Court rejected his plea on September 6, leading him to appeal the decision.
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On September 20, the Division Bench upheld the previous ruling, referencing Article 36(f) of the IGU’s MoA. The court highlighted that this article permits the council to take disciplinary action against any personnel representing India or the IGU, noting that Verma had posed as a “caddy” to one of the golfers.
Verma was represented by advocates Nitish Rana, Pallavi Garg, Nikhil Kohli, and Vigya Pandey. The Central Government’s legal team included Standing Counsel Anil Soni and advocate Devrat Yadav, while advocates Apoorv Shukla, Puneet Chahar, and Prabhleen A Shukla represented another respondent.
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The High Court’s decision confirms Verma’s suspension as valid, pending further inquiry into the allegations. This ruling underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and adherence to regulations within sports organizations, especially during international events like the Olympics.
