A party thrown by Gymnastics Federation of India president Jaspal Singh Kandhari to celebrate the historic Commonwealth Games bronze of gymnast Dipa Karmakar resulted in Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary general Rajeev Mehta's arrest on the night of August 1 in Glasgow.
Even as the accompanying IOA officials were trying to find a way to secure Mehta's release, news poured in that Indian wrestling referee, Virender Singh Malik, had been arrested on charges of sexual assault on a hotel receptionist.
"It was after Mr Kandhari's party to celebrate Dipa's historic feet that Mr Mehta left the party scene in a tipsy state. Later, we came to know that he met with an accident under the influence of alcohol and was detained by the police there," an IOA official told dna from Glasgow on Sunday evening.
Malik's case that he allegedly tried to molest a hotel receptionist in the wee hours of August 2 – only a few hours after Mehta's arrest – could bring more shame to the country.
"There are different versions about Malik's incident. The receptionist complained that the wrestling referee did assault her on the pretext of putting India's pin on her blazer," said the source.
Meanwhile, in India, the chorus of Mehta's removal has gained momentum. Former president Vijay Kumar Malhotra has demanded an emergency meeting of IOA to discuss the shameful issue.
"IOA president Mr Ramachandran should convene an emergency meeting of the IOA as soon as he returns from Glasgow and take stern action against the officials, if they are found guilty." Malhotra said on Sunday.
Two more senior IOA officials were "shocked and shamed", and demanded a thorough inquiry against the two officials caught. "I can't recall any other such instance in the past which has shamed Indian contingent like this. A proper inquiry is needed as IOA's newly-amended constitution very clearly says that 'any tainted or chargesheeted official cannot remain in office'," a senior IOA official told this paper on Sunday.
Sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal also reacted strongly. "If reports coming in the media are found to be true then definitely the ministry will take firm action against the culprits. On the one hand, our sportspersons are putting hard work for the country and making us proud. Then on the other hand, this kind of incident has brought shame and no one likes it," said Sonowal.
It must be mentioned here that Malik is also the brother of women's wrestling team coach Kuldeep Singh who returned to India on Friday. It is learnt that Malik, too, was also scheduled to return India on Saturday morning.
This paper has learnt that a senior official of the Indian embassy from London has been rushed to Glasgow to assist the Indian contingent.
"We were told that an embassy official has been asked to help IOA here," said the source.
It must be noted that Britain is among several European countries that has strict rules and penalties for anyone caught driving above the legal alcohol limit.
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