Delhi High Court directs Centre to file details on Sports Code compliance by National Sports Federations
Court was dealing with a petition filed by Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra seeking compliance by NSFs with the Sports Code and orders passed by the High Court dated January 22, 2021
Last week, the Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to file details, along with any available records, including the constitutions of each of the compliant National Sports Federations (NSFs) and also ordered that financial assistance would not be provided to the non-compliant NSFs till further orders.
Court was dealing with a petition filed by Rahul Mehra, a senior advocate seeking compliance by NSFs with the Sports Code and orders passed by the High Court dated January 22, 2021.
After persuing the affidavit filed by the Centre, a division bench of Justice Najmi Waziri and Justice Vikas Mahajan observed that the NSFs must comply with each aspect of the Sports Code, which can neither be diluted nor whittled down.
Mehra claimed that many NSFs continue to violate the Sports Code and its strict mandates while receiving government grants, concessions, and recognition.
As per the Affidavit filed by the Centre on July 15, 2022, 24 NSFs are fully compliant with the Sports Code.
The court opined that the statement would not suffice on its own and that the affidavit does not specify which elements of compliance were examined by the Centre.
“Let details of the same be filed before the next date, along with any available records, including the constitution of each of the said "compliant NSFs," the court ordered.
Court further observed that to continue receiving government patronage, largesse, and funds, at least one NSF must be shown to be compliant with all parameters.
Accordingly, Court listed the matter for further hearing on July 26, 2022.
Earlier, the Court had observed that the Sports Code requires a minimum of 25% of eminent athletes to be represented in decision-making processes. If the NSFs have ensured and complied with the Sports Code, that compliance should be documented.
Court had opined that evidently there is no clarity or conformation as to which NSFs are fully compliant with Sports Code. Thus, it was observed that as per the orders of May 26 and June 2, only entities that qualify for such funding could receive public funds.
Case Title: Rahul Mehra v. Union of India