The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) came under heavy fire for their decision to include people with criminal records among those in charge of India's Asian Games squad. Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former IOA president Suresh Kalmadi's personal secretary, Rajkumar Sacheti, were named in the list of leaders of India's Asian Games contingent last week.
Singh was appointed Chef de Mission of India's 524-strong contingent for the Asian Games. Chef de Mission is the person in charge of the entire contingent in an international sports event such as the Asiad.
Singh, who is also an MP from Uttar Pradesh's Kaiserganj, had stated in his 2014 election affidavit that he had been charged under IPC sections 147, 148 (rioting) and 307 (attempt to murder). However, he was not convicted in any of the cases. He is also one of the accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case, which is still pending in the Supreme Court.
Making it clear that he has not been convicted in any of the cases in which he has been named, Singh defended his appointment, and said that he wasn't the only accused holding government positions. “I am not convicted in any of the cases so far. I don't care what people say or write, but if there is a law which still prevents me from going, then I will not go,” Singh told ANI.
Singh further added that the murder case, in which he has been named, was filed by one of his political rivals.
Sacheti's inclusion has also raised objections as his role in the 2010 Commonwealth Games scam is still under investigation. Sacheti, who was joint director general during the 2010 CWG, was found to be misusing his official position by the Central Vigilance Committee. He was investigated by the the CBI for irregularities in the CWG committee.
The Asian Games will be held in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia from August 18 to September 2.