BFI Sec writes to PM Modi on intimidation, CEO denies allegations

Fighting in the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) escalated on Tuesday when general secretary Pramod Kumar accused president Ajay Singh and chief executive officer Col Arun Malik of “criminal intimidation” to defeat a no-confidence motion against Singh, a charge Malik dismissed as “baseless”.

“All these allegations are baseless and false. We have done no such thing,” Malik told PTI.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi dated October 13, a copy of which is in PTI’s possession, Kumar alleged that there had been a “serious breakdown of governance” in the federation and claimed that most of the associate state units and members of the executive committee had submitted formal motions of no confidence in Singh.

“As the duly elected General Secretary of the BFI, I am bound by the Constitution of the Federation to honor these demands and carry out the democratic mandate of our member units,” Kumar wrote.

He claimed that Singh, through Malik, was running the day-to-day operations of the federation and issuing instructions “without legal standing”.

“Essential sporting governance and rules of natural justice require that an office bearer facing a motion of No Confidence should not use executive power to defeat or disrupt that process.

“However, Ajay Singh, through his Administrative Officer, Colonel (Retired) Arun Malik, continues the day-to-day operations and issues directives without legal standing.

“They have resorted to criminal intimidation, threatened me and state troops, and send unauthorized notices daily in an attempt to prevent me from fulfilling my constitutional duties,” he wrote.

Kumar further alleged that state associations supporting the proposal were threatened with suspension and appointment of ad hoc committees.

“This criminal intimidation also targets our affiliated state units. Member associations across the country are facing intense pressure and threats of suspension, including but not limited to threats to replace them with ad hoc committees if they support a motion of no confidence.”

He also claimed that his access to the federation’s official email account was revoked without his knowledge or consent.

“In an effort to paralyze my office and impede official work, my federation email access was suddenly revoked without my knowledge or consent,” Kumar wrote, saying the move prevented him from performing his duties and raised concerns about the security of federation records.

“The animosity has grown so intense that I have grave concerns for my personal safety as well. If any physical harm comes to me, Ajay Singh and Col (Retd) Arun Malik must be held directly responsible for the said harm caused to me,” Kumar wrote.

However, Malik denied that Kumar’s email access had been revoked.

“No one has revoked his email access. He can get it checked, we have no problems,” he said.

The latest flare-up comes amid controversy over the proposed no-confidence motion against Singh, with Kumar seeking to call a special general meeting (SGM) on October 28 to vote on the motion.

But Malik said that the meeting could not take place and called it unconstitutional.

“There can’t be a meeting because it’s unconstitutional. Even if some people come together to meet, it won’t matter because it’s not in line with the constitution,” he said.

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