HC asks Gopichand to stay away from selection meeting

In a relief to badminton player Prajakta Sawant, who had levelled allegations of harassment against chief national coach Pullela Gopichand, the Bombay High Court today directed the latter to abstain from being part of the committee during Sawant's selection meeting.
A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice A V Mohta directed the Badminton Association of India to consider 19-year-old Sawant's selection in forthcoming tournaments based on her performance in the past two years.
Gopichand will not be present in the selection meeting, the court has said.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Sawant, who had alleged mental harassment by Gopichand after she was refused entry to the All India National Coaching Camp in Hyderabad.

Sawant had also alleged that Gopichand, being the chief national coach and a member of the selection committee of BAI promoted players from his own private academy Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy.
The court was today informed that the Maharashtra government has sanctioned Rs three lakh towards Sawant's sponsorship.
Sawant's lawyer Piyush Shah told the court that because of Gopichand no other player was willing to participate in doubles tournament with her.
Gopichand's lawyer argued that he was still ready to coach her in a professional manner if the allegations were withdrawn.