Cycle Polo Player Death: Kerala High Court Issues Contempt Notice To Cycle Polo Federation Of India Secretary, Others

Justice V G Arun, while adjourning the case for January 12, directed them to appear before the court on that day. 

Kerala Cycle Polo Association has approached the Court, seeking initiation of a contempt of court case against Dinesh Sanwe, the Secretary of Cycle polo federation of India and Praveen Chandra, Secretary, Cycle Polo Association of Kerala.

Fathima, a 10-year-old cycle polo player from Alappuzha of Kerala, who came to Nagpur to compete in the sub-junior category in the National Cycle Polo Championship, died on December 22 after she reportedly fell ill on Wednesday night and started vomiting continuously before she was taken to a hospital in the city. Though she was taken to a hospital, her condition worsened and she died on Thursday morning.

The Counsel appearing for the petitioner, Advocate R. Renjith, contended that Fathima and fellow players, part of one of the associations, were granted permission to compete in the championship as per the interim order passed by the Court on December 15. The court had directed the Cycle Polo Federation of India to permit the players selected by the Kerala Cycle Polo Association to participate in the National Cycle Polo Championship 2022-23, however, the Cycle Polo Federation and other organisers of the event allegedly did not arrange proper accommodation and food for them. 

Case Title: Kerala Cycle Polo Association v. Dinesh Sanwe