Mr. Sohan Tusir, Founder of the Indian Premier Kabaddi League (IPKL), and Mr. Surjeet Kanwar, Director of Kaya Entertainment,alleges physical assault, harassment, mental torture, and fraud against Ms. Kanthi D. Suresh, wife of IAS officer Mr. D. Suresh (Haryana Cadre), and the officer himself in a media conference at Chandigarh Press Club on Thursday.

Mr. Sohan Tusir, who has been spearheading the promotion of kabaddi since 2016, launched the Indian Premier Kabaddi League (IPKL) in 2024 in collaboration with Sony Sports. The initiative, aimed at elevating kabaddi to a professional level, has now been drawn into a major controversy following the involvement of Ms. Kanthi D. Suresh. According to Mr. Tusir, Ms. Suresh approached him with the idea of merging the Indian Premier Kabaddi League with the Global Pravasi Kabaddi League (Women’s League) to form a larger platform, leading to the establishment of the Global Indian Pravasi Kabaddi League (GIPKL).

Mr. Tusir alleges that several irregularities soon emerged. He claims that complete financial information regarding sponsorships and revenue was deliberately withheld and that Ms. Kanthi D. Suresh attempted to trademark the league’s name and brand under her personal ownership without the consent of other partners. Further, there was no transparency in financial transactions, and when Mr. Tusir raised questions, efforts were made to remove him from the league. He also alleges that false cases were filed against him and that police pressure was used to intimidate him, allegedly through the misuse of official power.

Mr. Tusir has asserted that he possesses substantial evidence, including emails, financial records, and copies of contracts, which substantiate his claims. He emphasized that anyone who demands accountability or transparency in this matter is being targeted through abuse of power. He further stated that he is preparing to take the issue before the media, legal authorities, and relevant ministries to safeguard the integrity of kabaddi and ensure that the truth comes to light.

Adding to this, Mr. Surjeet Kanwar, Director of Kaya Entertainment, said, “The vision behind the Indian Premier Kabaddi League was to create a transparent, fair, and professional platform for kabaddi players across India. It is unfortunate that such unethical practices and misuse of authority are threatening to overshadow the hard work and dreams of genuine sports promoters and athletes. We stand united in our commitment to protect the credibility of the sport and will not allow the misuse of power to suppress the truth.”

Appealing to the media and the wider sports community, Mr. Tusir has requested their support in conducting an impartial and transparent investigation into these allegations. He has also urged Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana to intervene in the matter, ensure justice is delivered, and hold accountable those misusing their positions for illegal activities.