The internal rift within Hockey India took a fresh turn on Saturday after its president Dilip Tirkey served a show cause notice to Director General Cdr RK Srivastava and stripped him of all his powers with immediate effect.
The legal notice cited the need to “maintain discipline, accountability and the smooth functioning of Hockey India” as the reason for the action.
‘On behalf of my client Mr Dilip Tirkey, President, Hockey India, in the interest of maintaining discipline, accountability and the smooth functioning of Hockey India, we hereby inform you that with immediate effect all your powers as the Director General of HI cease,’ Tirkey said in an email sent to the DG through his lawyer.
‘You shall not exercise any authority or act on behalf of Hockey India pending further decision in accordance with the HI Bye-Laws,’ the letter, which is in possession of PTI, further said.
The legal notice also directed the DG to hand over complete operational charge, along with all official records, documents, files, official access credentials, assets and pending matters, to such office bearers/persons as may be designated in writing by the President’s office.
The notice also cites an alleged arbitrary decision to change the national team’s jersey without prior consultation or clearance ahead of the World Cup.
The handover was sought for the limited purpose of ensuring continuity and the smooth functioning of Hockey India.
The letter was also copied to Hockey India office bearers and Executive Board members.