India football team captain Baichung Bhutia has made a defamation claim of Rs 1 crore against Mohun Bagan for "damaging his reputation". The claim was made before the arbitrator appointed by the AIFF to decide on the player's suspension.
Bhutia, through his legal counsel, Usha Nath Banerjee, made the claim before former Additional Solicitor General of India Amarendra Sharan, who heard both parties in New Delhi on Tuesday.
"Bhutia is a big name in Indian football and by questioning his commitment and making false allegations they (Bagan) have damaged his reputation. We have claimed Rs one crore as defamation," Banerjee said.
Asked about the claim, Mohun Bagan general secretary Anjan Mitra said, "I am yet to see it. Let them demand anything."
Bhutia was suspended for six months without pay by Mohun Bagan in June for missing a few team training sessions and an exhibition match.
The dispute between the club and national football icon is now pending before an the arbitrator after the Indian Football Association and All India Football Association failed to resolve it.
Sharan has fixed September 13 as the next date of hearing.
Mohun Bagan was represented by Delhi-based legal firm Suri and Company.
