After months’ long probe, FIR filed for misusing Shastri Badminton Hall

Finally, after months’ long investigation initiated on the directions of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Himanshu Jain, on the recommendation of the special investigation team (SIT) formed by the DC, a case of fraud and criminal conspiracy was registered against members of the Ludhiana Badminton Association and Ludhiana Badminton Academy. The names of the suspects would be added to the further probe.

SIT members include SDM (East) Jasleen Kaur Bhullar and Paramdeep Singh Khaira, Additional Commissioner, MC, Ludhiana.

Notably, the complainant, a national badminton player and coach, Anand Tiwari, in his complaint has alleged that Ludhiana’s prestigious Shastri Badminton Hall, a government-owned multi-crore facility, was being illegally controlled and misused by the unauthorised Ludhiana Badminton Association and secretary of the Ludhiana Badminton Academy Anupam Kumaria for the past 15 years. Kumaria had also been running the unauthorised academy registered at his residence without government approval and he was operating his personal academy at Shastri Hall. Entry fees, donations and sponsorship money had been collected in cash, siphoning millions from innocent players and their families. Despite claims of offering free coaching, bank records suggest that parents have paid in lakhs in the names of donations.

As per the FIR (the copy of which is with The Tribune) registered on the complaint of Tiwari, the SIT investigation has revealed several significant inconsistencies and a lack of transparency regarding the governance and operation of the association and academy and their relationship with Shastri Badminton Hall. Key findings include the absence of any formal lease agreement between the Municipal Corporation and the association or academy. Furthermore, discrepancies exist between the association’s letterhead and its registration details with the GM, District Industries Centre, including differing addresses and governing body members. While the academy claims to provide free coaching, the complainant submitted fee receipts indicating payments collected from players, presenting a contradictory picture. However, without established terms and conditions from the corporation, the allegation regarding improper fee collection by the academy or association could not be definitively ascertained.

SIT also found that the association lacks proper governance structures (constitution, bank account, balance sheets, auditors, elections, executive meetings) and functions as a closed group, avoiding scrutiny. Entry fees, donations and sponsorship money have allegedly been siphoned off from innocent players and families. In support of his complaint, the complainant even attached details of entry fees and circulars issued by the academy for the Masters State Championship and the U-19 State Championship, complaints from players regarding monthly maintenance charges and fee receipts issued by the academy.

The SIT investigation reveals that based on the findings, the committee recommends the following actions, including given the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana’s jurisdiction over Shastri Badminton Hall, it is recommended that the corporation be directed to establish comprehensive rules and regulations for the facility’s management, prioritising the interests of players. Any transfer of control to an academy or association must be governed by clearly defined terms and conditions to ensure accountability. The corporation should be directed to finalise all related formalities within three months.

EOW to carry out further probe

The complaint, along with supporting documents and the response submitted, should be transferred to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Punjab Police for a detailed probe into the alleged financial irregularities and misuse of funds.