Scandal Unfolds: Rohan Jaitley, DDCA President, Faces Serious Allegations Amidst Factional Strife
In a shocking turn of events, Rohan Jaitley, the president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) and son of the late Union Minister Arun Jaitley, finds himself ensnared in a web of serious allegations, including charges of sexual abuse and financial impropriety. The scandal, rocking the DDCA, has further exposed the deep divisions within the association.
The controversy erupted on February 22 when a woman, known to Jaitley, filed a complaint with top officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In her detailed complaint, she accused the DDCA chief of exploiting his official position to solicit both sexual and financial favors. A second complaint has now surfaced, with a Mumbai-based model leveling grave allegations of sexual abuse against Jaitley. The latter complaint, submitted to the BCCI's POSH Committee (Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment) on July 19, adds another layer of complexity to the already turbulent situation.
Notably, neither of the complainants has taken the matter to the police thus far. Despite the gravity of the accusations, sources close to Jaitley dismiss them as falsehoods orchestrated by DDCA members who faced defeat in recent cricket body elections. According to these sources, the absence of legal action indicates the baselessness of the charges.
However, the allegations don't end there. Former Additional Solicitor General Vikas Singh has sent a scathing email to Jaitley, accusing him of attempting to manipulate competition and favor a specific architectural firm for major contractual jobs within the DDCA, particularly those related to the World Cup matches scheduled to be held in Delhi this year.
The DDCA, already a bitterly divided entity, is witnessing a power struggle with celebrity cricketers and prominent politicians vying for control. As Delhi braces itself for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in October-November, the drama within the DDCA is expected to intensify.
In another political arena, the Pawar family and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are grappling with internal strife. The splinter group, led by Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel, is in talks with BJP leadership about potential collaboration. Despite the discussions, Ajit and Praful are reportedly attempting to convince Sharad Pawar to switch allegiance from Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Meetings between the breakaway leaders and Sharad Pawar have taken place, where they conveyed the BJP's offer, which includes induction into the Union Cabinet with a significant portfolio and a respectable share of seats in upcoming elections. However, post-split surveys indicate that the NCP's voter base remains largely loyal to the senior Pawar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to have conceded to the demands of the NCP breakaway group but is yet to make a final offer to Sharad Pawar. The political game in Maharashtra continues as the state navigates the intricate dynamics leading up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
