Bangalore, March 5: In a bid to recover dues of Rs 18 lakhs from the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), the Karnataka State Hockey Association has sought legal redress.The KSHA last week filed a case under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act (dealing with dishonouring of cheques) with 11th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Bangalore.The KSHA has complained that twice cheques issued by the IHF were dishonoured and returned with the endorsement ``insufficient funds''.It may be recalled that the KSHA had conducted the 58th Senior National Hockey Championship in Bangalore during May 1997 with the assurance from the IHF that the expenses incurred by the KSHA towards conducting of the tournament would be reimbursed.The KSHA spent Rs 29.50 lakhs in organising the Nationals. The IHF had made staggered payments to the KSHA during the championship, amounting to Rs 11.50 lakhs. ``The remainder Rs 18 lakhs would be reimbursed at the earliest,'' was the promise made then.But the IHF keptpostponing the payment despite reminders from the KSHA. And finally, the IHF issued a cheque for Rs 18 lakhs, drawn on Bombay Mercantile Co-operative Bank, Delhi, dated April 30, 1998, but asked the KSHA not to present it till further advise which never came.The KSHA presented the cheque on September 3, 1998, to their bankers, the Syndicate Bank, but it was returned with the endorsement ``funds insufficient''.The KSHA, after bringing the incident to the notice of the IHF, presented the cheque a second time. The bank returned the cheque citing the same reason funds insufficient vide advise dated October 12, 1998.In the bargain, the KSHA had to cough up Rs 2,780 to their bankers as ``commission for handling their account''.
