Sarita Devi's suspension: HC seeks Boxing India's response

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today sought a response from Boxing India on a plea challenging International Boxing Association's (AIBA) decision to suspend boxer Laisram Sarita Devi for refusing to accept the bronze medal at the Asian Games in South Korea.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice P S Teji issued the notice to Boxing India and listed the matter for further hearing on January 5, 2015.

Earlier, the Centre had told the High Court that it has written to AIBA requesting it to revoke the suspension of Devi.

The Sports ministry in its letter to AIBA had requested it to take a lenient view and not take any further action against her, saying she comes from a humble background and has risen very high in her sport due to her hard work and her suspension would have a demoralising effect on other aspiring sportspersons.

The plea, filed by senior advocate Rajiv Dutta, had sought a direction to the Centre to take due cognizance of the rules and regulations framed by Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) situated in Lausanne for settling disputes.

It had sought a direction to the Centre to exercise its inherent power to direct the respective local federations and associations in its jurisdiction to incorporate the CAS Arbitration Clause within their respective rules.

It had alleged there is absolutely no clarity on resolution of disputes in the event that an international body like International Boxing Association takes any coercive action against individual sportspersons, as has occurred in the case.