Kochi: The Kerala High Court sought Monday the response of the Athletic Federation of India (AFI) on a contempt petition by PU Chitra alleging that the court’s order directing it to ensure her participation in the World Athletics Championships in London had not been complied with.
Justice PB Suresh Kumar ordered the AFI to file an affidavit Tuesday after Chitra’s counsel submitted that co-athlete Sudha Singh was included in the Indian squad after the cut-off date (for entries) while the July 28 interim order of the court on her (Chitra’s) inclusion had not been implemented.
In her contempt plea, Chitra submitted that though the High Court in its July 28 interim order had directed the AFI to ensure her participation in the 1,500 metres race at the London Worlds, the respondents (AFI) had not complied with the order in letter and spirit.
The respondents have received the interim order and simply written to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), pointing out that the high court has passed an interim order to that effect, the petitioner said.
“There is no request by the respondents pointing out that the non-inclusion of the athlete was on account of a mistake committed by them, which has to be rectified,” Chitra said in her petition.
She sought action against AFI president and secretary Adille Sumariwala and CK Valson respectively as well as against chairman of the selection committee, GS Randhawa.
In a related developmentMonday, the AFI approached a division bench of the court seeking its permission to move an urgent appeal to expunge adverse remarks made by the single judge while passing the interim order.
The bench headed by Chief Justice Navaniti Prasad Singh, however, declined permission and directed them to approach the single judge.
Press Trust of India
