HC refuses to appoint panel to run IOA

The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to form a committee to conduct the affairs of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), recently suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) owing to the government's alleged interference into its affairs and non-observance of Olympic Charter by it.

The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to form a committee to conduct the affairs of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), recently suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) owing to the government's alleged interference into its affairs and non-observance of Olympic Charter by it.

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"We are not going to appoint any authority or committee or anybody to run the IOA," a Bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said.

The court said this in response to a plea by advocate Rahul Mehra, who has filed the PIL for formation of an ad-hoc committee of eminent sportspersons and former Olympic medal winners to conduct the IOA's day-to-day affairs.

"Then, please send the names (suggested as members of the proposed committee) to the Sports Ministry for consideration," said Mehra.

Meanwhile, senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the IOA, sought an urgent hearing on a petition filed by the sports body for quashing of the National Sports Code, 2011 on the ground that alleged governmental interference had led to the IOA's suspension. "We are ready to examine the Sports Code, but, you have to put your house in order first," said Justice Endlaw.

Mehra, meanwhile, in a fresh plea, sought the court's urgent intervention in the All India Football Federation polls on Dec 20 on the ground that the Sports Code had been violated as even a proper roll of electoral college had not been prepared.

The court also asked Mehra to supply copies of his applications to the lawyers of the IOA and Centre and warned the advocates against raising such objections in future hearings.

"Such objections pop up like popcorn at the time of hearings. Some of my applications are pending hearing for two years," said Mehra.