Saffron jersey row: Hockey India removes director general Srivastava

New Delhi: Hockey India on Saturday served a show-cause notice on its Director General Cdr R K Srivastava, stripping him of all powers with immediate effect, with the controversy over the Indian team's change of jersey featuring prominently among the eight charges levelled against him.

The notice, issued by Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey through his lawyer, gives Srivastava four weeks from the date of receipt to submit his reply. It warned that if he fails to respond, the matter "may proceed on the available record and further action may be taken by the competent authority."

"With immediate effect, all your powers as Director General of Hockey India cease, and you shall not exercise any authority or act on behalf of Hockey India pending further decision in accordance with the Hockey India Bye-Laws," the notice said.

It added that the action was taken to maintain discipline, accountability, transparency, preservation of records and the smooth functioning of Hockey India, without prejudice to Srivastava's right to respond. The order will remain in force until it is reconsidered, modified or superseded under the Hockey India Bye-Laws.

Srivastava could not be contacted despite several attempts.

The notice directed him to hand over operational charge, official records, documents, files, access credentials, assets and pending matters to an officer or person designated by the President's Office.

He has also been barred from exercising operational, executive, administrative, financial, contractual, supervisory, signing, approval, disciplinary, media, communication or representational authority on behalf of Hockey India. He was further directed to preserve all official physical and electronic records and not "alter, delete, destroy, transfer, conceal or remove" any such records.

The notice, however, clarified that it "does not constitute a final determination of any charge or final disciplinary punishment" and "shall not by itself affect your existing contractual remuneration or ordinary service benefits."

The principal charges relate to the World Cup team jersey controversy and Srivastava's decision to travel to the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium despite being directed to remain in India to focus on the Hockey India League (HIL) and other priority matters.

The notice alleged that the change in the Indian national teams' playing jersey was "implemented and publicly launched without prior consultation with the President or Executive Committee."

"When specifically asked to identify the authority, approval, delegation and player/coach consultation supporting the decision, no Executive Committee resolution, Presidential approval or complete documentary foundation was produced despite repeated directions," it said.

The Indian team's jersey was changed from the traditional blue to orange, citing visibility issues, triggering controversy.

On Srivastava's World Cup travel, the notice said: "As already instructed, Commander R.K. Srivastava shall not travel to the World Cup, as his full attention is required to address matters relating to the Hockey India League (HIL) and other priority issues requiring immediate resolution."

It noted that an email dated July 30 had also advised Srivastava to remain in India because of the upcoming HIL season, franchise coordination, planning and follow-up.

"Despite that you travelled to and attended the WC while Selection Committee member Subhadra Pradhan and age-group coaches Rani and Sardar Singh, who had been identified for specific institutional purposes, were not deputed as directed," the notice said.

The notice further alleged that Srivastava's decision to travel despite the President's direction amounted to "a direct insult to, and disobedience of, the office of the President, Hockey India."

Other charges concern the PR agency and media embargo imposed during the jersey controversy, the South Africa tour player-misconduct matter, the Craig Fulton clarification, Vikram Pal ICC/POSH records, the Sumit Mohite Development Umpire matter, external communications with the International Hockey Federation (FIH), Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) and national federations, as well as World Cup travel and delegation arrangements.

On the World Cup delegation, the notice said that while the individuals specifically identified for institutional purposes were not sent, Srivastava "chose yourself over and above the persons mentioned and yourself proceeded to attend the World Cup."

It said the eight matters "together prima facie raise serious and recurring questions of executive accountability."

On the PR firm issue, the notice referred to an immediate media embargo issued on July 31 over the jersey controversy and alleged that the subsequent disciplinary and contractual process against the agency was not fully implemented.

The notice also alleged that directions issued on January 23 regarding disciplinary action following the South Africa incident involving Manpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Krishan Pathak had to be repeated on January 30 and February 3, despite Srivastava stating that "action has been taken."

Another charge concerned reports that head coach Craig Fulton had opposed Manpreet Singh's omission and threatened to resign. The notice alleged that despite repeated directions, no categorical statement, confirmation, denial or complete action-taken report from Fulton was provided.

On the Vikram Pal matter, the notice alleged that ICC/POSH records and proceedings remained unavailable despite repeated requests from July 15 onwards.

"You were copied on repeated written demands ... the charge is that, despite actual knowledge, you failed to exercise supervisory control to ensure that the records were lawfully secured and made available through an appropriate confidential process," the notice said.

It also alleged that material communications and dealings with FIH, AHF, national federations and other external sporting bodies were not fully and contemporaneously placed before the President and elected body.