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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court has recently appointed former Supreme Court Judge Arjan Kumar Sikri as an ‘Administrator’ to oversee the utilization of funds in the Shooting World Cup scheduled to be held in India in March 2023.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad ordered, “Hon’ble Mr. Justice (Retd.) Arjan Kumar Sikri, Former Judge Supreme Court of India, is appointed as an Administrator to oversee the utilization of funds in the World Cup event that is being held in India in March 2023. The Administrator can also take the assistance of any sportsperson of his choice, who has been a national or international shooter, to assist him in the matter.”

The bench said, “The prestige of the country will be affected if there is any impediment in organizing the World Cup event which would require funding from the Union of India”.

The court stated that Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra's suggestion for the formation of a committee to oversee the utilization of funds proposed to be released by the Union of India was a fair solution. It also noted that the suggestion made by the senior counsel was not opposed by the ASG and Senior Advocate Kirti Uppal appearing for the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).

The NRAI through the present plea stated that India will host the World Cup for the Shooting sport in March 2023 and that a halt in funding would jeopardize the World Cup's hosting. The plea stated that the applicant is dependent on the government for the organization of international events in India, as well as for a variety of other activities such as training shooters and their participation in international events.

In view of the upcoming World Cup event, the NRAI sought vacation/modification of orders dated June 2, 2022, and June 3, 2022, passed by the High Court, after which the smooth functioning of the National Sports Federations as the entire working capital had come to a standstill.

The court noted that on June 3, 2022, a division bench directed that no more money will be expanded by the Union of India, nor will any assistance be extended to any National Sports Federations. The Union of India was directed to ensure that monies, patronage, and other facilities to the National Sports Federations be resumed only when the National Sports Federations comply with the Sports Code, as well as the orders passed by the Apex Court.

The division bench appointed Justice (Retd.) Arjan Kumar Sikri, former Judge of Supreme Court of India as an Administrator to oversee the utilization of funds in the event. It ordered, “The Administrator shall be free to fix his remuneration commensurate to the work and the same will be paid by the Union of India. The funds released must get the concurrence of the Administrator”.

Additionally, the court sought a report from the Union of India in a sealed cover after the conclusion of the event.

Case Title: Rahul Mehra v. UOI