NEW DELHI (AP) The Indian Olympic Association amended its constitution Sunday in line with the International Olympic Committee's insistence that all persons charged with an offence be prevented from contesting elections, paving the way for its return to the Olympic fold.
The changes were made at a meeting in New Delhi just two days ahead of a Tuesday deadline set for the Indian body, which wanted to bar only persons convicted for two years or more and leave the cases of those convicted for lesser periods to be judged by an internal committee.
The IOA had been facing the prospect of de-recognition after being suspended in December last year for not following its own constitution and electing tainted officials, notably secretary-general Lalit Bhanot, who spent 10 months in jail on corruption charges related to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
Bhanot and IOA President Abhay Chautala, charged in a recruitment scam not related to sports, are now among those ineligible to contest elections announced for Feb. 9.
"The IOA has unanimously decided to amend the relevant clause in its constitution which would bar charge-framed persons from contesting elections," IOA official S. Raghunathan told reporters. "Both Chautala and Bhanot said they will not contest the upcoming elections."