New Delhi: Hockey India on Saturday served a show-cause notice to its Director General, Cdr R K Srivastava, stripping him of all executive powers with immediate effect. The decision stems from multiple allegations, most notably his handling of a controversial redesign of the Indian team’s official playing jersey.

Issued by Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey through his legal counsel, the notice outlines eight distinct charges. Srivastava has been given a four-week window from the receipt of the communication to present his defense.

"With immediate effect, all your powers as Director General of Hockey India cease, and you shall not exercise any authority or act on behalf of Hockey India pending further decision in accordance with the Hockey India Bye-Laws," the notice stated.

The document clarified the administrative rationale behind the directive:

"This direction is issued to you on behalf of the President, Hockey India, to maintain discipline, accountability, transparency, preservation of records and the smooth functioning of Hockey India, without prejudice to your right to reply, and shall remain operative until reconsidered, modified or superseded in accordance with the Hockey India Bye-Laws."

Attempts to reach Srivastava for comment were unsuccessful.

Under the order, Srivastava must immediately transfer all operational duties, official files, credentials, assets, and pending matters to an officer designated by the President’s Office. He is barred from exercising any administrative, financial, media, or representational functions on behalf of the federation and has been explicitly instructed to preserve all physical and digital records without alteration.

The notice highlighted that the action "does not constitute a final determination of any charge or final disciplinary punishment" and "shall not by itself affect your existing contractual remuneration or ordinary service benefits."

At the core of the disciplinary action is the recent change of the Indian team’s traditional blue jersey to orange—a move attributed to visibility concerns that sparked widespread debate. The notice claims the rebranding occurred without institutional approval:

"The change in the Indian National Teams' playing jersey was implemented and publicly launched without prior consultation with the President or Executive Committee. When specifically asked to identify the authority, approval, delegation and player/coach consultation supporting the decision, no Executive Committee resolution, Presidential approval or complete documentary foundation was produced despite repeated directions," the notice detailed.

Additionally, the notice addresses Srivastava’s decision to travel to the Netherlands and Belgium for the World Cup despite explicit instructions to remain in India to prepare for the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL).

"As already instructed, Commander R.K. Srivastava shall not travel to the World Cup, as his full attention is required to address matters relating to the Hockey India League (HIL) and other priority issues requiring immediate resolution," the notice stated regarding his travel.

A prior directive on July 30 had similarly advised him to prioritise domestic preparations:

"An earlier email dated July 30 had also advised Srivastava to remain in India because of the upcoming HIL season, franchise coordination, planning and follow-up. Despite that you travelled to and attended the WC while Selection Committee member Subhadra Pradhan and age-group coaches Rani and Sardar Singh, who had been identified for specific institutional purposes, were not deputed as directed," the notice read, describing his actions as "a direct insult to, and disobedience of, the office of the President, Hockey India."

On the overall handling of the World Cup delegation, the notice added:

"while the persons specifically identified for these institutional purposes were not sent, you chose yourself over and above the persons mentioned and yourself proceeded to attend the World Cup."

The six other charges detailed in the show-cause notice include:

  • PR Agency Embargo: Allegations that a media embargo issued on July 31 regarding the jersey controversy was not properly enforced, nor were follow-up contractual proceedings against the agency fully carried out.

  • South Africa Misconduct Incident: Delays in executing disciplinary measures following an incident involving senior players Manpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, and Krishan Pathak, requiring repeated presidential interventions on January 23, January 30, and February 3.

  • Head Coach Craig Fulton Clarification: Failure to provide a formal statement or action-taken report clarifying reports that head coach Craig Fulton had opposed Manpreet Singh's omission and threatened to resign.

  • POSH Case Records: Inability to secure internal ICC/POSH proceedings and records regarding a matter involving Vikram Pal despite requests dating back to July 15. The notice stated: "You were copied on repeated written demands ... the charge is that, despite actual knowledge, you failed to exercise supervisory control to ensure that the records were lawfully secured and made available through an appropriate confidential process."

  • Development Umpire Matter: Issues concerning umpire Sumit Mohite.

  • External Communications: Withholding complete, real-time records of external correspondence with the FIH, AHF, and other national federations from the elected executive body.

Concluding the statement of charges, the notice emphasised that these eight areas "together prima facie raise serious and recurring questions of executive accountability." (PTI)