Tensions have reached a boiling point within the Indian para-shooting fraternity as a group of elite athletes has leveled explosive allegations of systemic corruption and financial extortion against the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and its Shooting Technical Committee (STC). With the Aichi-Nagoya Para Asian Games fast approaching, scheduled for October 18–24, the controversy threatens to overshadow India’s preparations on the international stage.
The athletes, seeking an immediate and independent inquiry, submitted a formal representation to the Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) this past Wednesday. In their petition, they explicitly outlined claims of “illicit monetary extortion,” “brazen corruption,” and a blatant disregard for established Sports Ministry guidelines governing team selection.
## The 20 Per Cent Kickback Allegation
Perhaps the most damning accusation involves the alleged solicitation of kickbacks from government-sanctioned prize money. The complainants contend that para-shooters were subjected to severe duress, with committee office-bearers reportedly demanding a 20 per cent cut of the athletes’ government cash awards as a non-negotiable “pre-condition” for securing a spot on the national roster.
Furthermore, the integrity of the quota allocation process has been called into question. The athletes claim that international quota spots were not distributed based on objective rankings or performance metrics, but were instead influenced by financial considerations. According to the representation, two of the 15 available quota places were ultimately surrendered, allegedly because the athletes who were next in line for selection refused to capitulate to the financial demands placed upon them by officials.
The petitioners also detailed a series of administrative irregularities, including the opaque replacement of the original selection panel without a documented rationale, the unauthorized alteration of qualifying scores, and a failure to adhere to the transparency mandates set forth by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
## Sandeep Kumar Highlights Selection Bias
The outcry has been amplified by high-ranking athletes who feel marginalized by the current selection process. Among them is Sandeep Kumar, a P4 50m free pistol SH1 shooter who holds a prestigious third-place ranking in Asia. Kumar has publicly challenged the logic behind the exclusion of top-tier talent in favor of lower-ranked competitors.
Specifically, Kumar pointed to the selection of Rudrankksh Khandelwal—currently ranked 14th in Asia—over both himself and Akash, the current Asian No. 1. Expressing deep grievance, Kumar described the committee’s decision-making as “arbitrary” and a direct violation of the rules intended to ensure merit-based selection.
Beyond the personnel decisions, the athletes have cast a suspicious eye on the leadership of the technical committee. They have questioned the appointment of an individual serving as both a technical expert and the Director of Operations, alleging that this official lacks any verifiable history of competing in official, sanctioned shooting events, thereby raising questions about their qualifications to oversee national team selection.
## PCI President Defends the Process
In response to the mounting pressure, PCI president and Paralympic icon Devendra Jhajharia has issued a staunch defense of the committee’s actions. Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist in javelin, dismissed the allegations as entirely unfounded and maintained that the integrity of the process remains intact.
“The selection has been done as per the criteria,” Jhajharia stated in an interview with PTI. “There has been no discrimination against anyone. The selections are 100 per cent fair and according to the Sports Ministry’s guidelines.”
When questioned regarding the specific allegations made by Sandeep Kumar—including the claim that spots were reserved for athletes with close personal ties to the coaching staff—Jhajharia was unequivocal in his rebuttal. “Those are all false allegations,” he maintained, insisting that the committee operated within the bounds of fairness and protocol throughout the entire duration of the selection phase.
## Sports Ministry and the Path Forward
While the Sports Ministry has acknowledged the gravity of the situation, the immediate outlook for the complaining athletes remains grim. A spokesperson for the Ministry confirmed that all “genuine complaints” raised by the shooters would be subjected to a thorough examination. However, the official noted that, from a logistical standpoint, the Indian team for the Aichi-Nagoya Para Asian Games has already been finalized, leaving little room for roster modifications regardless of the inquiry’s findings.
For the aggrieved athletes, the path forward appears increasingly litigious. Sources close to the petitioners have indicated that if the Sports Ministry’s investigation fails to yield satisfactory results or provide a measure of accountability, they are prepared to escalate the matter to the High Court. By invoking Article 226 of the Constitution, the athletes are prepared to seek a writ of mandamus, which would compel the judicial system to oversee an independent, court-monitored investigation into the PCI’s selection practices.
As the Para Asian Games draw near, the sport faces a pivotal moment. Whether the issue is resolved through administrative reform or judicial intervention, the shadows cast by these allegations have sparked a national conversation about the need for greater transparency and accountability in the governance of India’s Paralympic sports. For now, the sporting world waits to see if the focus will return to the firing line, or if the controversy will continue to simmer long after the closing ceremony in Aichi-Nagoya.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
