Two Indian Olympic Officials at Commonwealth Games Arrested
One of the officials arrested in Glasgow is Indian Olympic Association secretary Rajeev Mehta. Mehta is part of the Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games
India were left red-faced after Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary general Rajeev Mehta and senior international wrestling referee Virender Malik were arrested in Glasgow on separate charges late on Saturday night.
Mehta was arrested on charges of alleged drunken driving and Malik for alleged sexual assault. (Sports Minister Promises Stern Action)
Sources here told IANS that both Mehta and Malik were not part of the Indian contingent but went to Glasgow in their respective official capacities. Mehta was an invitee of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and presented medals to winners. Malik had officiated in the wrestling competitions in the Commonwealth Games. (Kashyap Wins Gold, Indian Men Get Silver in Hockey)
The two will be presented in court Monday. (Who is Rajeev Mehta?)
A Scotland Police spokeswoman confirmed the arrests of the two Indian officials but refused to divulge any details.
"On August 2, a 49-year-old man was arrested following reports of alleged drunken driving in City Centre of Glasgow. On August 2, a 45-year-old man was arrested following reports of an alleged assault in the west of Glasgow," said the spokeswoman.
According to reports, Mehta was allegedly driving without a licence while returning from a party hosted by Gymnastics Federation of India to celebrate the bronze medal won by Dipa Karmakar. Reports also suggest that he was above the legal alcohol limit. Malik was allegedly involved in sexual assault in a hotel in the west of Glasgow.
"At the very outset let me clarify that Virender Malik (wrestling referee) was not travelling as part of the IOA contingent, so it would not be appropriate for me to comment on him. As far as the secretary general is concerned, he is yet to be produced in court, so we will have to wait for a day. For the record, both were not staying at the Games Village. Right now the details are rather sketchy and it would be unfair to jump to a conclusion. We will look into the matter only after the law runs its course," IOA president N Ramachandran told the Times of India.
The Indian High Commission in London, in a statement, said they are closely monitoring the case.
"We have learnt about the detention of two members of the Commonwealth games contingent (sic) by the local (Glasgow) police. Our consulate in Edinburgh has deputed an official to Glasgow to keep in close touch with the police authorities to ascertain full factual details of the case. We are also close in touch with the team," the High Commission said in a statement.