Life ban on Jwala?

"The disciplinary committee has recommended a life ban or suspension for a certain period of time on Jwala Gutta for her role in the IBL controversy," a senior BAI official told PTI. "The recommendation has been circulated to the member-associations but no decision has been taken as of now. It has not been implemented."

S Muralidharan, the chairman of BAI's disciplinary committee, said: "I don't want to talk about it much. It is the discretion of BAI President Akhilesh Das Gupta and on an unconditional apology, Jwala can be set free. But she should feel apologetic for what happened."

A controversy had erupted during the August 25 tie when Delhi Smashers had threatened to pull out against Banga Beats over the last-minute replacement of injured singles player Hu Yun of Hong Kong with Denmark's Jan Jorgensen.

As an icon player of Delhi Smashers, Jwala was involved in the whole matter, which was resolved after Beats finally left out Jorgensen and played Arvind Bhat, who was already a part of the team. Jwala was then served a 14-day show-cause notice by BAI for her conduct during the tie, which was delayed by half an hour.

"Jwala had replied to the notice, saying that it was a decision by the Delhi franchise and not an individual move. ‘Owners asked me to act like that and there is nothing wrong on my part. I have been appointed as an icon player by Delhi and as a captain I acted’ she said," the BAI official said.

Explanation sought

Meanwhile, Badminton Association of India President Akhilesh Das Gupta will seek a response from Jwala Gutta following BAI disciplinary committee's recommendation of a life ban on the top Indian doubles shuttler.

"The BAI president is writing to Jwala Gutta for her response on the recommendation report," a well-placed source in the BAI told PTI. "She will have seven days to respond," he added.

In a surprise decision, BAI's disciplinary committee recommended a life ban on Jwala for her role in the Indian Badminton League controversy. "The disciplinary committee has recommended a life ban or suspension for a certain period of time on Jwala Gutta for her role in the IBL controversy," a senior BAI official said.

"The recommendation has been circulated to the member associations but no decision has been taken as of now. It has not been implemented." S Muralidharan, chairman of BAI's disciplinary committee, said: "I don't want to talk about it much. It is the discretion of BAI President Mr Akhilesh Das Gupta and on an unconditional apology, Jwala can be set free. But she should feel apologetic for what happened."

At the time of revold on August 25 during IBL, Jwala was served a 14-day showcause notice by BAI for her conduct during the tie, which was delayed by half an hour.

"Jwala had replied to the notice, saying that 'it was a decision by the Delhi franchise and not an individual move. Owners asked me to act like that and there is nothing wrong on my part. I have been appointed as an icon player by Delhi and as a captain I acted'," the BAI official said.

"But the BAI is not satisfied with her reply. Now it is upto Jwala, if she wants to apologise or keep quiet."