SAI sacks Chandran after pregnancy test controversy

The Sports Authority of India terminated the services of Dr P M S Chandran as its medical consultant with immediate effect "for gross indiscipline and spreading disinformation" following the controversy surrounding the pregnancy tests conducted on World Championships-bound women boxers.

A letter to this effect was issued by Sports Authority of India's Deputy Director (Personal) Sunita Bharal, which said that Chandran was responsible for the media statement that alleged that women boxers participating in the World Boxing Championships were subjected to pregnancy tests.

"It was confirmed that Chandran was responsible for the media statement that alleged that women boxers, including minors, participating in the Women World Boxing Championship had to undergo pregnancy tests against the rules stipulated by the world governing body (AIBA)," the SAI said in a release.

"SAI and Boxing India have already clarified that the youngster in the squad was born in 1994 and hence no minor was ever tested. The tests were conducted at the request of the boxers after AIBA's prospectus for the World Championship to be played in Jeju, South Korea, from November 13-25 had clearly stated that the participants had to submit a non-pregnancy form issued by a qualified medical professional," it said.

SAI said that Chandran could have consulted the relevant authorities, including the sole Technical Representative of AIBA in India, if he had any difference of opinion regarding interpretation of rules.

"As a consultant, his main responsibility was to provide technical inputs to facilitate decision making by the relevant authorities in SAI. By no account this means that he can approach the Press. By misrepresenting the facts of the case, he (Dr Chandran) has not only spread disinformation in the country but also denigrated the organisation where he is employed as a Consultant. This is tantamount to gross indiscipline," the release said.

"Keeping in view of the incoherent actions of Dr PMS Chandran over the last few days, which are unbecoming of a Senior Medical Consultant of SAI, the competent authority has decided to dispense with his services and hence terminate his services with immediate effect," it said.