Devaram to supervise probe into irregularities in Special Olympics 2018

Taking exception to the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, B Maheswari, failing to deal with the complaint against area director, Special Olympics Bharat-Tamil Nadu, J Paul Devasagayam in this regard despite taking over in August 2018, a division bench comprising Justice Vineet Kothari and Justice CV Karthikeyan directed the Commissioner to complete the inquiry against Devasagayam after recording the statements of relevant persons and take action as per Section 80 of the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Citing Devaram’s communication dated July 24, 2018, to Air Marshal Denzil Keelor, CEO, Special Olympics Bharat, against Devasagayam, the bench directed the former DGP to supervise the probe undertaken by the State Commissioner and submit an independent report about the nature of inquiry held by theCommissioner.

The bench also sought Devaram to submit a report about the general working of Devasagayam before the next hearing on August 20.

The interim direction was based on a plea moved by a mother of a differently abled athlete alleging favouritism in the selection process by officials here in the Special Olympics International Football Championship in progress.

Based on this, the bench during the earlier hearing had directed the CEO to allow Dinesh Kumar, Prem Shankar and Kevin George, whose names were cited as an example by the petitioner during arguments, to participate in the championship.

Also, it had summoned Commissioner Maheswari, Devasagayam and MS Johan Nagarajan, Senior Sports Manager, Special Olympics Asia Pacific, Chennai, to be present in the court on Monday. The bench had also directed Devasagayam and Johan to deposit Rs 25,000 each from their personal funds with the court registrar for failing to appear or arrange for their advocates to represent them.

Recording their appearance, the bench directed Devasagayam to file a copy of their registration and constitution and byelaws of the trust under which he is working as area director for the last many years, the funding of the trust, the sources and the manner of spending it.

The bench also directed him to file a brief note about the selection process for the players in the last few years and explain whether besides the recommendation of the district secretaries, the selection process was open to all such differentlyabled persons.