New Delhi, September 13 (TNA) Hockey India has stripped its Director General, Commander R.K. Srivastava, of all powers with immediate effect and served him a show-cause notice over alleged non-compliance with directives, lapses in administration and decision-making controversies, including the Indian team jersey issue ahead of the World Cup.
The action was initiated through a legal notice sent on behalf of Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey. The notice states that all authority delegated to or exercised by Srivastava as Director General will remain in abeyance pending a further decision in accordance with the federation’s bye-laws.
“With immediate effect, all your powers as Director General of Hockey India cease, and you shall not exercise any authority or act on behalf of Hockey India pending further decision in accordance with the Hockey India Bye-Laws,” the notice said.
Srivastava has been directed not to exercise operational, executive, administrative, financial, contractual, supervisory, signing, approval, disciplinary, media, communication or representational authority on behalf of Hockey India.
He has also been asked to hand over operational responsibilities, official records, documents, files, access credentials, assets and pending matters to an officer or individual designated in writing by the Hockey India president’s office.
The move is being described as an interim protective measure intended to ensure continuity in the federation’s functioning and to safeguard its records and personnel while the matter is examined.
Eight allegations listed
The show-cause notice reportedly lists eight allegations against the Director General. One of the prominent issues concerns the alleged unilateral decision to change the Indian hockey team’s jersey without prior consultation or clearance before the World Cup.
Other matters cited in reports include Srivastava’s travel to the World Cup despite being asked not to travel, concerns over the handling of players’ misconduct during the South Africa tour in December, and the reported non-availability of Internal Complaints Committee/Prevention of Sexual Harassment-related records in a case involving a federation staff member.
The notice also refers to alleged dereliction of duty, wilful disobedience and repeated failure to comply with directives issued by the Hockey India leadership.
Four weeks to respond
Hockey India has given Srivastava four weeks from receiving the notice to submit a written reply along with documentary support. The federation may consider further action under its bye-laws after examining his response.
The development intensifies the apparent internal rift within Hockey India at a crucial time for Indian hockey, with the national teams preparing for major international assignments, including the Asian Games. The federation has maintained that the decision was taken in the interest of maintaining discipline, accountability and the smooth functioning of Hockey India.