In a formal legal notice served on behalf of Hockey India president
Reasons behind the administrative suspension
The decision to remove Srivastava stems from several specific instances of insubordination and procedural negligence. According to the notice, the Director General repeatedly ignored explicit instructions from the federation president, most notably by traveling to the recent World Cups held in the Netherlands and Belgium despite being directed not to do so.
Beyond the unauthorized travel, the federation has raised concerns regarding unilateral decision-making. The notice highlights an arbitrary change to the national team’s jersey, which was implemented without the required consultation or formal clearance prior to the World Cup tournaments. Furthermore, the federation has cited a lack of transparency regarding internal administrative matters, specifically noting that the proceedings and reports of the internal POSH committee—which was tasked with investigating allegations against a senior Hockey India official—have not been made available on record.
Next steps for the federation
Hockey India has provided the Director General with a four-week window to submit a formal response to these allegations, supported by documentary evidence. The federation has made it clear that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation could lead to further disciplinary measures in accordance with the established Hockey India bye-laws.
This development marks a significant shift in the internal management of the sport's governing body as it seeks to address accountability issues and streamline its decision-making processes. For now, Srivastava remains barred from all official duties while the federation evaluates the next steps in this ongoing administrative matter.
