The Executive Board (EB) of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has placed Soumyajit Ghosh under provisional suspension, pending final outcome of the police investigation and court verdict, if any, on the alleged rape charges against him by a teenager.
During the suspension, the paddler will not be able to participate in any tournament, national or international.
The EB, based on the legal opinion sought by TTFI, unanimously decided after discussing the matter with its members through a video conferencing earlier in the day.
“The Executive Board of the TTFI, taking cognizance of the media reports and the FIR filed against Soumyajit Ghosh, has unanimously decided to suspend the player and restrain him from participation in all tournaments until further orders.
“During its deliberations, the EB took notice of the IPC sections (376, 417, 513, 120(B) and Section 4 of the POCSO Act) under which the Barasat Police (WB) has charged Ghosh. Accordingly, the EB members felt that the charges levelled against Ghosh are of grievous nature and they warranted placing him under provisional suspension immediately. EB suggested to TTFI that the player and all authorities concerned should be informed forthwith of the decision,” the TTFI said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the TTFI has also decided to issue a show cause notice to Ghosh, asking him to explain his stand on the FIR lodged by the girl, especially on the allegations against him.
Ghosh, one of country’s top paddlers in the last decade who took part in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, has been accused of allegedly raping an 18-year-old girl. He has however refuted the allegations and said he will contest the case.