Hockey India president strips DG of powers, issues show-cause notice

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey

KOLKATA: The power struggle within Hockey India intensified on Saturday after president Dilip Tirkey issued a show-cause notice to director general Cdr RK Srivastava and directed him to immediately cease discharging functions of his office, citing eight instances of alleged non-compliance, governance lapses and failure to implement directions issued by the elected leadership.In a detailed communication issued through advocate Himanshu Chaturvedi, a copy of which is with TOI, Srivastava was informed that all authority ordinarily exercised by him as director general would remain in abeyance with immediate effect pending further consideration under the Hockey India Bye-Laws.

The letter directed him to hand over operational charge, official records, files, credentials and other assets to an officer designated by the president’s office.The notice lists eight charges against Srivastava, including the national team’s jersey controversy, a pending POSH matter, disciplinary issues, delays in implementing administrative directives and alleged failure to keep the president informed on key affairs.A key allegation relates to Srivastava’s travel to FIH Hockey World Cup despite being advised to remain in India to oversee Hockey India League (HIL) matters.

According to the notice, communications dated July 30 and August 2 had directed him not to travel and instead facilitate the deputation of other Hockey India representatives for institutional and developmental purposes.Describing the matter as a serious breach of authority, the letter stated: “The non-compliance on your part was a direct insult to, and disobedience of, the office of the President, Hockey India.”The communication further alleged that while selection committee member Subhadra Pradhan and former internationals Rani Rampal and Sardar Singh were identified for specific roles during the World Cup, the plan was not implemented, and Srivastava attended the event himself.

On the action taken against the director general, the notice said: “All authority delegated to or ordinarily exercised through you as Director General shall remain in abeyance with immediate effect and, as an ad-interim protective measure, you shall cease to discharge the functions of Director General pending further consideration and decision by the Executive Committee.”The letter maintained that the measure was “immediate, ad-interim and protective” and did not amount to a final disciplinary finding or punishment. It also clarified that the action would not affect Srivastava’s contractual remuneration or ordinary service benefits.Srivastava has been given four weeks to submit a detailed response along with supporting documents.