Rajasthan HC puts restrains on Verma and Sinha

The Rajasthan High Court has restrained Badminton Association of India president VK Verma from taking any decision as head of the sports body without its prior permission till the next hearing on August 17.

After hearing a writ petition filed by BAI general secretary Vijai Sinha against Verma, the High Court passed an order putting restrictions on both the parties.

"VK Verma, President, BAI shall not take any decision nor shall enter into any contract or arrangement, by whatever name called, that might create financial liability or burden on BAI without specific permission of this Court," the court order read.

The court has also asked both Verma and Sinha not to perform any duties which deals with the composition of the BAI without seeking permission from it and also asked them to stay away from taking any coercive action against any members.

"General Secretary Vijai Sinha and VK Verma shall not implement any decision dealing with the present composition of BAI without specific permission of this Court. They shall not take any coercive measure or action against the members and affiliates of BAI," the order added.

Verma and Sinha have been at loggerheads over the functioning of BAI and they took their fight to the court with the latter filing a writ petition before the Rajasthan High Court alleging Verma of unauthorisedly and unlawfully occupying the post of BAI President.

Verma welcomed the judgment and said the decision was fine as it doesn't restrain the functioning of BAI as many would like to interpret.

"I welcome the judgment in the sense that the functioning of BAI and president has not been restrained even though the petition had quoted some guidelines," Verma said.

"In the BAI all decisions are taken after considering majority voting of the executive members through emails. So the High Court's decision is fine because it does not affect the working of BAI," he said.

Asked about his reaction to the court's judgment, Sinha said, "I welcome the decision and since the matter is in the court of law I don't want to comment right now."

Meanwhile, Verma said a five member committee has been set up to investigate the financial irregularities by Sinha and the panel will come up with a decision before the executive meeting on August 13.

"The panel will be looking at the allegations of Sinha certifying airlines ticket for payment in the name of a person called Dhyani, which was found to be fictitious. The airlines confirmed this to us in writing," he said.

"If there is any substantial evidence against Sinha, we will approach the court and with their consent we will take disciplinary actions against him," he added.