Hockey India strips Director General Srivastava of all powers

In a major development late on Saturday evening, Hockey India Director General Cdr. R.K. Srivastava was divested of all authority and responsibilities and served notice to explain repeated instances of non-compliance with presidential directives.

“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 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 legal notice served to Srivastava on behalf of HI president Dilip Tirkey stated, a copy of which is with The Hindu.

Srivastava travelled to the recent World Cups in the Netherlands and Belgium despite explicit and repeated directions from Tirkey against it. The notice mentions the arbitrary decision on changing the national team’s jersey without prior consultation or clearance ahead of the World Cups and non-availability on record of the internal/POSH committee proceedings and report on allegations against a top HI official among other charges.

Srivastava has been asked to reply within four weeks with documentary evidence. There could be further action in the absence of any according to HI bye-laws.