TN: Do not interfere in TNHA affairs

Chennai, Nov 5: The Madras High Court has restrained A Chelladurai Abdulla, who claimed himself as the honorary secretary of the Tamil Nadu Hockey Association (TNHA) from interfering with the affairs of the association.

Admitting an original application arising out of a civil suit filed by K Jothikumaran, who also claimed himself as the honorary secretary of the association, Justice P R Sivakumar yesterday, restrained Chelladurai from making any communication under the name of the association in any manner and in any capacity with Sports Development Authorities (SDA) of the governments at the State, the Centre and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).

According to Jothikumaran a Private hindi satellite channel, under the instigation of certain-vested interests had telecast a sting operation in April this year, maligning him as if he had received money to help a player to get selected to represent India in the International tournaments.

He also said the money givers desired to organise international tournaments for ten years and to meet the initial expenses of the promoter ''Sunshine Builders and Promoters''-designated by IHF, gave Rs 2 lakh as initial payment.

Jothikumaram said the private channel had also later admitted that the money was sought to be given under the pretext of organising tournaments.

Since the attempt exposed the willful intention of character assassination and caused damage to his fair image in public and governments, Jyothikumaran filed a civil suit claiming damages to the tune of Rs 25 lakh from the private channels and the same was pending.

While so, deliberately miss-representing this incident and casting aspersions on Jyothikumaran, Chelladurai filed a civil suit on July 30, 2008, stating that in view of the above incident, the majority of the members of the TNHA convened a special meeting on June 14 at Madurai, and unanimously elected him as the honorary secretary of the association.

The Judge directed the defendant to file his counter on or before November 14.

UNI