Wanted in multiple cases, Tripura police hunt for fugitive sports official

In a case that highlights deep-rooted corruption within state sports associations, the Tripura Police has launched a search for Rupak Debroy, visiting multiple National Sports Federations (NSFs) in New Delhi in recent days.

Debroy, who has been absconding following multiple FIRs and a lookout notice issued against him, allegedly heads more than 20 state sports bodies in Tripura.

The Department of Youth and Sports found that he has amassed over 100 per cent of his income, while Tripura State Olympic Association has also registered an FIR against Debroy for siphoning Rs 11 lakh from the state body.

Recently he was spotted in the National Capital Region attending a meeting of Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI). This was flagged by the Tripura Amateur Kabaddi Association (TAKA), who was there to attend the April 6 meeting of the AKFI.

“I was surprised to see Rupak Debroy, who has been on the run for two years, attending a meeting in an official capacity. I had to raise this issue and because of this the Tripura Police is in New Delhi,” Roy told The Tribune on Wednesday.

“Despite the lookout notices and FIRs, he is still selecting state teams and taking money from players from other states and playing them in our state teams. This is the reason why IOA president PT Usha appointed an ad hoc committee to run the Tripura State Olympic Association,” Roy added.

The Tripura Police has reportedly visited offices of key federations including Hockey India, the Archery Association of India, and the IOA office located in Delhi’s Qutab Institutional Area.

A source confirmed that the Tripura Police officials visited the office. “Yes they were here looking for Rupak Debroy and I am told that they have visited a few federation offices as well in the last two days,” the IOA source said.

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