CJI Sanjiv Khanna Steps Back from Cases Involving Adoption of IOA and AIFF Constitutions
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New Delhi, Jan 6 (NationPress) Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna on Monday opted out of hearing several petitions concerning the acceptance of the draft constitution of the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
At the beginning of the proceedings, CJI Khanna disclosed that he had previously dealt with this matter as a judge at the Delhi High Court and recommended that a different Bench should hear the case. The Bench led by CJI Khanna directed that the petitions be presented before a Bench featuring Justice PS Narasimha.
Previously, the Supreme Court had designated former SC judge Justice L. Nageswara Rao to formulate electoral rolls, oversee elections, and amend the constitution of the IOA, stating that since the issue involved both legal aspects and sports policy, it was wise to allow Justice Rao to finalize the draft constitution.
The court had issued numerous directives concerning the adoption of the draft constitution and the elections for the executive committee of the IOA. Justice Rao was also tasked with finalizing the AIFF draft constitution and reviewing objections and proposals from stakeholders.
“We are of the firm belief that a similar process was undertaken under the court's orders in relation to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) by Justice L. Nageswara Rao. It would be fitting to assign the responsibility of finalizing the constitution to the former judge of this court,” the apex court had stated.
The Supreme Court had suspended the Delhi High Court order, which instructed the Committee of Administrators (CoA) to assume control of the IOA governance. The Delhi HC had asserted that to enhance the 'ecosystem' of sports organizations and structurally reform them, the management of the IOA should be entrusted to a CoA. It also mandated that the Centre refrain from granting recognition or any benefits to the Indian Olympic Association or any National Sports Federations (NSFs) if they did not adhere to the Sports Code.
“Adherence to the Sports Code is non-negotiable,” remarked a division bench of Justices Najmi Waziri and Manmohan of the high court, emphasizing that “the legal framework concerning sports administration in India must be executed comprehensively and efficiently.”
