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Thursday, October 10, 2013

Gutta moves court against BAI’s life ban threat

10102013

Updated on : 10-10-2013 12:12 PM

Embattled shuttler Jwala Gutta on Wednesday moved the Delhi High Court against the Badminton Association of India (BAI) after its disciplinary committee recommended a life ban on her for an alleged code of conduct breach in the Indian Badminton League.

“We decided to go ahead with legal action in the case and accordingly filed a petition in the Delhi High Court today,” Jwala’s father Kranti Gutta told a news agency.

The BAI had ruled out considering Jwala for selection in any international event in the next one month, pending a decision by the three-member committee that was formed on Monday by President Akhilesh Das Gupta.

It means the Commonwealth Games gold medallist won’t be able to play in Denmark and French Open.

Jwala’s coach Syed Mohammad Arif had advised the top shuttler to file a defamation suit against BAI for going to press without issuing her a ban notice.

The Sports Minister Jitendra Singh also said today that he can look into Jwala’s dispute with the BAI if she approaches him.

The BAI’s disciplinary committee had recommended a life ban on Jwala for trying to stop some players of her franchise Delhi Smashers from playing a match against Banga Beats in the recent Indian Badminton League.

BAI demanded an “unconditional apology” from the feisty shuttler to reconsider her case.

With the BAI mounting pressure, Jwala had a series of meetings yesterday with her IBL franchise Krrish Delhi Smashers and lawyers here to chalk out the next course of action.

The three-member disciplinary panel comprises Indian Olympic Association (IOA) joint secretary Anandeshwar Pandey, Luge Federation of India president Deepa Mehta and Swati Shukla, a former associate of the Commonwealth Games Organising committee.

The committee is awaiting an answer from Jwala within a week.

The controversy had erupted during the August 25 tie when Delhi Smashers threatened to pull out against Banga Beats over the last-minute replacement of injured singles player, Hu Yun of Hong Kong with Denmark’s Jan Jorgensen.