Senior Gutta says they will seek legal recourse against the life ban move
Shuttler Jwala Gutta has not yet received any official communication from the Badminton Association of India (BAI) on the reported move to impose life ban on her, but she would seek legal recourse upon getting it, her father Kranti said here on Monday.
"She (Jwala) is going to stand up and we will fight out the case," he said at a press conference, where her coach S M Arif and Clean Sports India National Coordinator B V P Rao expressed solidarity with her.
Talking about the incident, the shuttler's father said it was absurd to blame Jwala as the delay in starting the match was not caused by her.
Arif, a renowned coach, wondered how Jwala be singled out for disciplinary action and the team management is left out.
"At 7.15, the team was given and 8 o'clock the match is to be started. Just before 8, the opponents had changed the team. When they had changed the team, then naturally, she was advised, being the captain of the side, by the sponsors from Delhi not to field the team.
Probe panel formed
The BAI decided to appoint a three-member independent committee to further look into the matter.
Asking the panel to submit a report within a month, the BAI said till that time Jwala, who will be served another showcause notice, will not be considered for any national or international matches.
"BAI has decided to constitute an independent three member committee for issuing a further showcause notice to Ms Jwala Gutta for seeking her reply within a week on the punishments proposed by the Disciplinary Committee in order to satisfy the principles of natural justice and take final decision on the proposed punishments within a month," BAI General Secretary Vijai Sinha said in a statement.
The three member committee comprises Anandeshwar Pandey, Joint Secretary Indian Olympic Association and General Secretary UP Olympic Association, Deepa Mehta, President luge Federation of India and Swati Shukla, a social worker and former member of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee.Jwala has been asked to reply within seven days.