PTI

New Delhi, July 18

Veteran sports activities administrator Narinder Batra resigned as President of International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Monday and in addition gave up his IOC membership, virtually two months after a High Court ruling ended his reign as IOA President.

Batra give up his positions, hours after CBI carried out a number of raids at his residence and places of work in New Delhi and Jammu.

According to CBI officers, searches have been made in 5 areas throughout the 2 cities after submitting an FIR towards Batra in an alleged corruption case. In April, the CBI had initiated a preliminary inquiry towards Batra for alleged misappropriation of Hockey India funds to the tune of Rs 35 lakh.

Batra ceased to be President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) when the Delhi High Court, on May 25, struck down the put up of ‘Life member’ in Hockey India, courtesy which he had contested and gained the IOA elections gained again in 2017.

Batra had appealed towards the ruling however a bigger bench of the High Court had refused to remain the sooner order and listed the matter for the following listening to on July 26. The sports activities administrator additionally formally resigned as IOA President. 

In three separate handwritten notes, Batra formally tendered his resignation from the three positions. In all of the letters, he cited “personal reasons” for his determination.

“Due to personal reasons I submit my resignation from the post of President FIH,” Batra wrote to the Executive Board of FIH.

Batra grew to become president of FIH in 2016 and reclaimed the place final 12 months for a second time period until 2024.

The FIH Board accepted the resignation and mentioned an performing president will probably be appointed quickly in Batra’s place.

“As stipulated in the FIH Statutes (Article 7.4 a), the Executive Board shall appoint an acting President to hold office until the FIH Congress appoints a person to fill the vacancy. Therefore, a meeting of the EB will be organised as soon as possible,” the FIH mentioned in an announcement.

“In accordance with the same article, the next Presidential elections will take place during the upcoming FIH Congress which is planned to be held virtually on 4 and 5 November this year.” Batra’s IOC membership was linked to IOA presidency however his resignation from FIH has come as shock since in May he had mentioned that he desires to concentrate on his job on the planet hockey physique.

After he was eliminated by the High Court, Batra had issued an announcement, asserting his determination to not contest the upcoming IOA elections, saying that his focus will now utterly shift to managing world hockey.

“At a time when world hockey is going through an essential development phase, with the promotion of Hockey5s, the creation of a new competition this year – the FIH Hockey Nations Cup – and the launch of fan-engaging platforms and activities, my role as President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) requires more time for all these activities,” Batra had mentioned.

“Consequently, I’ve decided to not run for a further term as president of the IOA.”             The 65-year-old Batra took cost of the IOA for the primary time in 2017 and was eligible to contest for re-election.

The IOA elections have been due in December final 12 months however couldn’t be held as per schedule as a result of ongoing amendments within the election course of.

Batra grew to become an IOC member in 2019 and later went on to change into a member of the Olympic Channel Commission.

The Delhi High Court ordered Batra to cease functioning as IOA president “in a contempt proceeding”, filed by Olympian and hockey World Cup winner Aslam Sher Khan.

The court docket then appointed Anil Khanna, who held the put up of Senior IOA vice chairman, because the performing president of IOA.

Batra’s reign has been marred by variety of controversies.

In 2020, IOA vice-president Sudhanshu Mittal had written to the IOC, alleging irregularities and false declarations by Batra in his election to the highest put up.

Recently, Batra had apologised for a social media put up towards former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha, a growth which had led to calls for of his resignation from the IOA prime job.