Suspended OC officer’s defamation suit admitted in High Court

Admitting suspended official M Jeychandren’s Rs 5-crore defamation suit,the Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Organising Committee,directing it to preserve all records pertaining to the contentious deal that led to his ouster.

Jeychandran,who was serving as the Joint Director (Finance and Accounts) of the OC,was suspended along with T S Darbari and Sanjay Mahindroo for alleged discrepancies in the payments related to the Queens Baton Relay in London last October. Slapping a defamation suit of Rs 5 crore on the OC while also making Suresh Kalmadi and other top officials parties,Jeychandran claimed he was never informed of the charges against him and nor was he given an opportunity to present his defence. As per the petition,the OC’s actions were “violative to the principles of natural justice and therefore illegal,arbitrary… and are liable to be declared as such”.

Taking his plea on record,Justice Sunil Gaur issued a notice to the OC and sought their replies by January 4,2011. Accepting his other plea as well,the court directed the OC to preserve the records of the Relay for properly adjudicating the matter. The court,however,refused to appoint a commission for preserving the records and other purposes,noting that the matter was also being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate.