CBI questions BAI officials over alleged use of their positions for personal gains

THE OFFICIALS OF BADMINTON ASSOCIATION OF INDIA (BAI) including its president Dr. Akhilesh Dasgupta are being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for fraud and nepotism. According to the reports in Times Of India, the reason stated for the same is that in 2014, these officials send their children to Japan for a trip as 'players'.

The event held in Japan was organised by their government as part of the Youth Sports Exchange  Programme. It was done in order to promote Japanese culture and values. The TOI also states that there were no advertisement done for this event.

The names of other officials that are considered to be involved with the issue belong to the Delhi Capital Badminton Association (DCBA) and they include: general secretary Jitender Kochar, vice-president Harish Ahuja, former secretary of DCBA Apinder Sabharwal, former treasurer Kamal Kumar Thapar and former member Harish Mittal.

A report has already been submitted to the sports ministry by CBI but action is yet to be taken.

Meanwhile, Dasgupta has pleaded innocence,

"As far as my daughter is concerned, she went to Tokyo as she was selected by DCBA and I was not part of the selection. The criteria was that youngsters need to have knowledge of badminton. My daughter has won bronze medal in national school championship organised by CBSE. She has represented Delhi."

He also said that BAI had nothing to do with it and it was an exchange programme between Delhi and Tokyo.  

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