Boxing Federation drama deepens as president, secretary suspends trade

A power struggle in the Boxing Federation of India intensified on Wednesday when president Ajay Singh and general secretary Pramod Kumar suspended each other, with both accused of violating the federation’s constitution.

Singh on Tuesday suspended Kumar pending an investigation into the alleged financial irregularitiesnon-cooperation in investigation and abuse of power.

On Wednesday, Kumar issued a counter order suspending Singh pending the outcome of the no-confidence motion he planned to move during the October 28 special general meeting (SGM).

He required the support of a majority of the associated state units to move the no-confidence motion.

Kumar accused Singh of continuing to exercise executive control over the federation despite being served with a cease-and-desist notice on 8 October.

CLAIMS AGAINST KUMAR

“You are hereby temporarily suspended from the office of General Secretary with immediate effect until the investigation is completed or the order is modified or revoked by the competent authority, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the BFI Constitution,” read the order against Kumar, obtained by PTI.

However, the order clarified that the suspension was a preliminary measure and “shall not be construed as a final determination of the charges.”

In his order, Singh also accused Kumar of not cooperating with the probe into the cancellation of the national championship and trying to convene an unauthorized meeting to move a no-confidence motion against the president.

In the order, BFI Singh alleged that the federation had received a notice from Pinnacle Broadcast Productions demanding around Rs 1.5 million for the telecast of the World Boxing Finals Cup in Greater Noida in November last year.

In an earlier letter to the President, Kumar said Pinnacle had donated R2 billion to sponsor and broadcast the event. But the company denied such a commitment.

“Recently, the Federation received a notice from Pinnacle Broadcast Productions claiming Rs 1.5 crore (approx) for the broadcast of the World Boxing Final’s Cup, Greater Noida, November 2025.

“Whereas it is your understanding from the letter you sent to the President that Pinnacle has committed and secured 2 million rupees to sponsor and broadcast this event.

“Pinnacle has now categorically denied making such an undertaking, which casts serious doubt on the authenticity of the letter that you personally represented Pinnacle to.”

The BFI order further alleged that the work order signed by Kumar was issued without the approval of the finance committee of the body.

Singh also cited a query regarding the last-minute cancellation of the BFI Elite Men and Women Open boxing tournament scheduled to be held in Nahan, Himachal Pradesh from August 16 to 23.

A commission of inquiry was set up on 17 August, but Kumar repeatedly sought more time and failed to answer its questions.

Another reason for the suspension was Kumar’s alleged issuance of notices against senior federation officials and a communication seeking a meeting to move a no-confidence motion against Singh.

“…instead of cooperating with the ongoing investigation, you allegedly issued cease and desist notices to senior BFI officials, show cause notices and notices purporting to convene a meeting to move a motion of no confidence in the President,” the order said.

It said that Kumar has no power under the BFI constitution to issue such notices without the required approval or to unilaterally convene an SGM.

The order directed Kumar to refrain from performing his duties as general secretary, sending messages on behalf of the federation and accessing official records relevant to the investigation.

KUMAR SUSPENDS BFI PRESIDENT PENDING NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE

In his counter-order, Kumar accused Singh of treating the federation as his “fiefdom” and continuing to exercise executive control over its day-to-day management despite the cease and desist notice.

“In the habit of having almost no regard for the democratic establishment and treating the Boxing Federation of India as his fiefdom,” Kumar wrote in the order, arguing that Singh’s actions violated the federation’s constitution and threatened the “sanctity and fair conduct” of the October 28 SGM.

Citing allegations made by state affiliates, Kumar accused Singh of taking executive and policy decisions without mandatory approval, attempting unauthorized constitutional amendments and threatening state associations and ad hoc committees with suspension.

Kumar further accused Singh of “deliberately ignoring the binding directions issued by the Delhi High Court regarding election circulars, governance parameters and term limits”.

Kumar’s order stated that Singh’s suspension would remain in force until the final vote on the no-confidence motion at the October 28 SGM or until further orders from the appropriate general body.

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