Murthy submits report on Monika Devi issue to Sports Minitry

New Delhi, Sep 12 (UNI) T S Krishna Murthy today submitted the report of his enquiry into the dope test issue of the weightlifter Monika Devi to Sports Minister M S Gill.

Krishna Murthy, a retired Chief Election Commissioner had been appointed on August 13, to look into all aspects of the issues relating to dope testing, the timing and release of the report which led to the withdrawal of Monika Devi from the Indian contingent deputed for participation in Beijing Olympics.

During the course of enquiry, Krishna Murthy had meetings with Monika Devi, the officials of the Ministry, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) as well as the Indian Weightlifting Federation.

The Sports Minister thanked Krishna Murthy for completing the enquiry within short period.

Gill promised that the Ministry will take early action based on findings, and recommendations. He also directed the officials to put the report on the Ministry's website immediately for the information of all.

Monika was stopped from going to Beijing at the eleventh hour on dope charges before being cleared by a review committee appointed by Indian Weightlifting Federation, but by that time it was too late for her to join the Indian contingent in Beijing.

Monika Devi had termed the actions of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) as ''unreasonable and mala fide'' and alleged that she failed to go to Beijing Olympics because of the ''deliberate lapse'' on the part of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

UNI RKM RAR HT1950