BackIOA official Rajeev Mehta, wrestling referee arrested in Glasgow
The secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association, has reportedly been arrested for drunken driving
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New Delhi/Glasgow: The Indian contingent at the ongoing Commonwealth Games was on Sunday left thoroughly embarrassed after Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary general Rajeev Mehta and an unattached wrestling referee, Virender Malik, were arrested on different charges.
While Mehta has been arrested for drunken driving, Malik, who is not a part of the official contingent, is facing a more serious charge of sexual assault.
Action will be taken against two Indian officials if reports of their misbehaviour on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are proved, sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Sunday. “If whatever the media have reported so far is right, definitely our ministry will take appropriate action in this regard," Sonowal told reporters. IOA president N. Ramachandran said he was waiting for a detailed report before commenting on the issue.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed the arrests but refused to divulge anything more. “On the 2 August, a 49-year-old man was arrested following reports of an alleged assault at City Centre of Glasgow. On 2 August, a 45-year-old man was arrested following reports of an alleged assault in the west of Glasgow," said the spokeswoman.
The two will be produced in court on Monday.
However, they were not staying with the official 215-strong contingent, which is putting up at the Games village. Both of them were reportedly lodged at a local hotel.
Asked if Malik had been arrested for alleged sexual assault, the spokeswoman said, “I cannot confirm right now."
“We are aware of the matter. It is a matter of Scotland Police and any question related to this issue should be addressed to them," said Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive officer Mike Hooper.
The Indian Consulate in Edinburgh said it is liaising with the police on the matter.
“We have learnt about the detention of two members of the Commonwealth contingent by the local (Glasgow) police. Our Consulate in Edinburgh has deputed an official to Glasgow to keep in close touch with the police authorities to ascertain full factual details of the case," a spokesman said. “We are also in touch with the team," he added.
According to unconfirmed reports, Mehta was allegedly caught drunk-driving and told the police to not release details of his arrest even to his family, who are travelling with him. Depending on how much over the legal alcohol limit he was, Mehta could face anything from a hefty fine or a driving ban to a jail term.
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