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Synopsis

The Supreme Court has said that some strong measures are required to be taken in order to ensure fairness, transparency, and independence in the election process of sports federations, especially to remove individuals who have taken control of federations for their own interests.

Dealing with a writ petition by one Priyanka and another, the bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure that Kabaddi players and other athletes can participate in international events, including the upcoming Asian Kabaddi Championship in Iran from February 20 to 25. The petitioner-players had sought a direction for their participation in championship.

The bench also observed if there is anything wrong with the election of the governing body of the Amateur Kabbadi Federation of India, then the court would not hesitate in directing for a fresh election, and would not depend on any administrator.

"We deprecate this practice of appointing former judges or bureaucrats as administrators. This practice is not good for anyone. The democratic values have to be restored. The voters, participants must be very genuine, most of them from sports background," the bench said.

In its order, the court also asked the SG to explore the diplomatic channels for resolution of the conflict in respect of recognition of Sports Associations, most urgently the Kabaddi Federation of India.

Among its directions, the court also asked the Director of CBI to suggest an investigation mechanism for effective domestic and international probe, with the assistance of international investigating agencies such as the INTERPOL, into the affairs of the Sports Federation.

"Taking into consideration the oral submissions made on behalf of the intervenors and the Administrator, and also having taken cognisance of the offensive language used by the purported and so-called President of the Asian Federation, it seems to us that some strong measures are required to be taken in order to infuse purity, fairness, autonomy and independence in the election process, particularly to oust such persons who have monopolised the sports federation for their vested interest," the bench said in its order.

Court also asked the SG to find out whether the Electoral Roll of the Kabaddi Federation of India is valid and transparent, and the State Units are represented by genuinely elected or nominated persons, who can be permitted to participate in the election of Governing body of the National Federation.

The petitioners, two players of the Indian Women’s Kabaddi team had urged the court to issue direction for taking steps by the Union government and others for the restoration of the affiliation of the AKFI with the International Kabaddi Federation and participation of the Indian women’s kabaddi team in the 'Senior Kabaddi Championship, 2025 (Women)’ at Iran.

They had contended that their fundamental rights were violated due to the inaction of the respondents with respect to AKFI's disaffiliation from the IKF on July 2, 2024, which continued till date. With this, the Indian Women’s team will not be able to participate in the ‘Senior Kabaddi Championship, 2025 (Women)’, they had alleged.

Case Title: Priyanka & Anr Vs Union of India & Ors