N. Ramachandran Slaps $2M Defamation Notice On Narinder Batra

Indian Olympic Association President N. Ramachandran has "slapped a defamation notice" on Hockey India President Narinder Batra by demanding Rs 10 crore ($1.6M) for allegedly "damaging his reputation by his bribery allegations," even as Batra "dared the IOA boss to sue him in a court of law," according to the PTI. Batra had alleged that during the IOA elections last year he was "offered by Ramachandran, through another person," Rs 1 crore every year he "remains as president in return for supporting his candidacy." Calling the allegations made by Batra "false and malicious," Ramachandran has demanded Rs 10 crore in damages to be "paid within 15 days along with an unconditional apology withdrawing the remarks or else he will take legal action under relevant laws." When contacted for his reaction, Batra said that he is "not going to accept the demands made by Ramachandran and dared him to file a case in a court" (PTI, 6/23).