The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has been slapped with a fine of Rs 8 crore by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) after it found sufficient evidence to prove that the national sport body had been selling arms and ammunition to its state affiliates and shooters for profits,sources told The Indian Express. A few days ago,the DRI raided the NRAI House at the Tughlakabad Institutional Area following complaints,and found documents,including statements of accounts,which suggested that NRAI had been selling arms and ammunition,procured on duty exemption,for national campers and shooting competitions at inflated rates. During the recent trials for trap and double trap events in Patiala,shooters were being charged extra for ammunition and clay birds,which led to the sports ministry ordering an inquiry. When contacted,NRAI secretary Rajiv Bhatia refused to confirm or deny the raid. I am not the authorised person to speak about it. Please contact the secretary general, he said. Despite several attempts,NRAI secretary-general Baljit Sethi could not be contacted. One consequence of the fine is that preparations for this years Commonwealth Games could be affected,with import of ammunition affected. According to several shooters,the NRAI was on the verge of clling off the ongoing camp for Commonwealth shooters in Pune. There may not be any camps in the near future either. Anyway,we have been doing nothing since December, a top India shooter told The Indian Express on condition of anonymity,adding that the NRAI shouldnt be allowed to run a shop. Shooting is considered one of Indias strongest disciplines going into the Commonwealth Games,especially after the success in Beijing,where Abhinav Bindra won Indias first Olympic gold. A few shooters who are in the middle of their preparations for the Delhi Games have suggested that the sports ministry step in and ask the Sports Authority of India to take charge of preparations.
