Punjab Congress chief demands inquiry into Indian kabaddi team's visit to Pakistan

Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar on Monday demanded an inquiry into an "unofficial" Indian kabaddi team's controversial visit to Pakistan for a world championship.

Jakhar asked how the players had managed to go without any official permission or clearance from the Union Sports Ministry.

The Sports Ministry and the sport's national federation claimed that they have not given clearance to any athlete for competing in the tournament in the neighbouring country.

"An inquiry must be held into how the players went there," Jakhar told reporters here.

Punjab's Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi added that they have not sent any team to represent the state in any championship in Pakistan.

"We have got nothing to do with it," Sodhi said while responding to questions that many of these players belong to Punjab.

Jakhar added, "The whole thing is very serious and it needs to be thoroughly investigated. It needs to be investigated if these players have gone there as couriers.

"They may not be Indian citizens and only Indian passport holders and one wonders if there is a 'Referendum 2020' angle to it."