My sacking is illegal, says Suresh Kalmadi

Erstwhile commonwealth games organising committee chief suresh kalmadi dashes off letter to sports minister to protest ouster

Erstwhile commonwealth games organising committee chief Suresh Kalmadi dashes off letter to sports minister to protest ouster

A defiant Suresh Kalmadi blasted the sports ministry yesterday saying that his removal as chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and executive board was illegal and arbitrary.

Tired? Indian Olympic Association chief Suresh Kalmadi

In a strongly worded letter to new Sports Minister Ajay Maken, Kalmadi said he was shocked to receive the order despite co-operating fully with all the investigating agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Kalmadi said he will hand over charge to OC chief executive Jarnail Singh, but under protest.

"I am shocked to receive Order dated 24th January, 2011, illegally and arbitrarily removing me from the position of chairman of the Executive Board and the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games. At the outset, it is important for me to point out that I have extended all possible cooperation to all the investigating agencies, including the CBI," Kalmadi said.

"Without prejudice to my rights and contention and in furtherance of my letter dated 25th January, 2011, wherein it has been stated that the order dated 24th January, 2011, is illegal and without any jurisdiction, I am handing the charge under protest," he said.

Kalmadi, who is also the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), said the Organising Committee is an autonomous body registered under the Societies Registration Act and he can only be removed in accordance with the constitutional documents of the society.

"I must also point out that the OC is an autonomous society registered under the Societies Registration Act. As the chairman of the Society, I can only be removed in accordance with the constitutional documents of the society.

Further, I was elected as chairman of the Organising Committee by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) General Assembly on November 1, 2004. The IOA is an independent, autonomous body and as per the Olympic Charter must remain free from government interference," he said.