Delhi HC upholds dissolution of IOA Ad Hoc Committee, orders elections for Ski and Snowboard India
New Delhi, March 23
The Delhi High Court on Monday upheld the decision to dissolve the Indian Olympic Association appointed ad hoc committee managing Ski and Snowboard India and directed that fresh elections be conducted to form its executive body.
A Division Bench led by the Chief Justice ruled that the IOA had no authority to appoint an ad hoc committee to run the affairs of Ski and Snowboard India.
The Court clarified that the sports body is an independent society, and its functioning must be governed by its own rules and by-laws.
The Court affirmed the earlier single-judge order, which had quashed the IOA's office order that created the ad hoc committee. As a result, the committee stands dissolved with immediate effect.
It further directed that elections of the association be conducted in a time-bound manner, as already ordered earlier, to ensure proper governance of the body.
Rejecting the IOA's arguments, the Court said that its internal rules do not allow it to interfere in the functioning of another independent society. It also noted that Ski and Snowboard India is not a recognised National Sports Federation under the current sports law framework, and therefore, provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, do not apply to it.
However, the Court modified one part of the earlier order. It set aside the direction requiring the IOA to bear the cost of conducting elections. Instead, it held that Ski and Snowboard India itself will pay the fees of the Returning Officer.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally some clarity. But who will ensure these elections are free and fair? We've seen so many sports federations in India become family-run fiefdoms. I hope the athletes get a real say this time.
Good decision. But let's be honest, how many people even know we have a Ski and Snowboard India? The focus should be on promoting these winter sports in the mountains, not just legal battles in Delhi. Invest in infrastructure in Himachal and Uttarakhand!
As an observer, I think the court modifying the cost order is very practical. Why should IOA pay for another body's elections? The association must be financially responsible for its own governance. A sensible tweak to the earlier order.
The fact that it's not a recognised NSF is the real issue. Without that status, funding and support from the government is minimal. The new elected body's first job should be to get proper recognition under the sports code. Jai Hind!
A respectful criticism: While the legal principle is correct, the time-bound election directive is vague. "Time-bound" can mean anything. The court should have specified a strict deadline, like 60 or 90 days, to prevent further delays. Governance suffers in limbo.
A Ananya R