A group of office-bearers of the Punjab State Lawn Tennis Association (PSLTA) has called an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on October 31 to consider a motion seeking the removal of honorary secretary Dinesh Arora over alleged financial, administrative and governance irregularities.In a press note issued on Saturday, the office-bearers said concerns had been raised over financial transactions, the routing of receipts through third parties and the non-production of complete financial records despite requests. They added that a complaint had been submitted to the Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, seeking an investigation.The proposed EGM, scheduled at PSLTA’s head office at Maharaja Ranjit Singh tennis complex in Amritsar, will also consider an independent forensic audit of the association’s finances and the preservation and production of relevant records.“An institution like the Punjab State Lawn Tennis Association must function on the principles of transparency, accountability and collective decision-making. Our priority is to restore confidence in the Association and ensure that its functioning remains focused on the development of tennis across Punjab,” senior vice-president Karanbir Singh Osahan said.The office-bearers said the allegations required investigation and were not established findings of guilt, adding that due process would be followed and the concerned office-bearer would be given an opportunity to respond.Arora did not respond to a request for comment from The Times of India.ALLEGATIONS AGAINST ARORAThe allegations against Arora were raised by Osahan in a written complaint submitted to the association leadership.The complaint alleges financial and administrative irregularities, including the routing of tournament and affiliation fees through private entities rather than official PSLTA accounts, expenditure without requisite approvals, inadequate financial documentation, and questions over the handling of grants and other association funds.It also raises governance concerns, alleging that Arora represented PSLTA before the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and became a member of the national body without approval or nomination by the PSLTA executive committee.Sports lawyer Prasang Raheja, who had turned the spotlight on similar governance issues in the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association, said a “comprehensive forensic audit” of the PSLTA’s finances was the need of the hour.“Sports associations are entrusted with public confidence and resources meant for the development of sport and the welfare of players. Any credible concerns regarding the handling of funds, financial transactions or the non-availability of supporting records must be examined independently and objectively,” he said.“I call for a comprehensive forensic audit of the Association’s financial affairs, including grants, tournament receipts, bank transactions, payments to third parties and the supporting documentation.“If the examination reveals financial irregularities or other violations, appropriate action must follow in accordance with law. The process must remain fair, evidence-based and transparent, with accountability determined on the basis of verified facts rather than allegations.”
