Paralympics Committee of India (PCI), headed by Paralympian Deepa Malik, has been suspended by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry for violating the nationwide sports activities codes on Sunday.

Terming the delay in holding the elections as ‘intentional and illegal’, the sports activities ministry took the choice.

In a letter dated February 2, 2024, the ministry directed the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to kind an ad-hoc committee, comprising eminent sportspersons and directors to safeguard the curiosity of the Indian para-sports individuals.

The ministry has additionally directed SAI to tell the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) concerning the most recent growth. 

The suspension signifies that Indian para-athletes will not be capable of participate in any IPC-sanctioned tournaments below the Indian flag.

“Whereas taking note of the intentional delay by the PCI in the conduct of the election to elect a new executive committee, vis a vis the essentiality of upholding good governance and accountability standards in sports federations nationwide and the requirements of all the NSFs, NOC, NPC to adhere strictly to the Sports Code, the Government is left with no choice but to suspend the recognition of PCI with immediate effect till further orders,” the ministry talked about within the letter.

The letter additionally talked about,” Considering the fact that the PCI acts as an NPC as well as an NSF for a few disciplines, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) is hereby directed to coordinate with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to form an Ad Hoc Committee comprising eminent administrators and sportspersons to undertake these tasks performed by PCI to safeguard the interests of the Indian para-sportspersons and the para-sports disciplines.”