Delhi High Court Directs Fresh Elections To All India Tennis Association By September 30, Lays Down Timeline For Constitutional Amendments
The Delhi High Court has directed the All India Tennis Association (AITA) to complete amendments to its Constitution and hold fresh elections by September 30, 2026.
A Division Bench of Justices Tejas Karia and Madhu Jain modified an earlier Single Judge order which allowed the declaration of results for the election held in September 2024.
issued the interim directions while hearing cross-appeals filed by the AITA and former Indian tennis player Somdev Kishore Devvarman against the Single Judge's judgment concerning the governance of the federation.
The Single Judge had appointed former Chief Justice Gita Mittal as the Administrator of the AITA, directed the opening of the sealed 2024 election results, recognised the elected Executive Committee as an interim body, and tasked the Administrator with overseeing constitutional amendments and fresh elections.
Both AITA and former Indian tennis player Somdev Kishore Devvarman had preferred appeals against this.
AITA argued that the appointment of an Administrator amounted to unwarranted judicial interference in the affairs of an autonomous society without any finding of illegality or mismanagement. It also contended that prolonged continuation of the Administrator could invite action from international sporting bodies.
Devvarman on the other hand supported the direction for Administrator's supervision but opposed the recognition granted to the Executive Committee elected pursuant to the 2024 elections. He argued for the conduct of fresh elections in accordance with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Union Government informed the Court that the International Tennis Federation (ITF) had acknowledged the interim recognition of the AITA Executive Committee and stated that the federation's Constitution and Bye-laws were required to be amended in conformity with the Sports Act and the Sports Governance Rules by June 30, 2026.
The ITF further indicated that if the court-appointed Administrator continued beyond the timelines stipulated by the Single Judge, it may consider action under its regulatory framework, including reviewing the AITA's membership status.
Taking note of the ITF's communication and the Ministry's subsequent direction requiring all National Sports Federations to align their constitutions and governance structures with the Sports Act, the Division Bench observed that it was expedient that the amendments to the AITA Constitution and Bye-laws be completed expeditiously.
The Court noted that during the hearing, both sides expressed willingness to arrive at a workable solution in the interests of the federation and its athletes. The AITA agreed to conduct fresh elections after amending its Constitution in conformity with the Sports Act, while Devvarman also agreed to the proposed mechanism under the supervision of the Administrator.
Accordingly, the Court directed the Interim Executive Committee to submit its suggestions on the draft constitutional amendments by June 25, 2026.
The Administrator has been directed to consider those suggestions, hear the Interim Executive Committee, and finalise the proposed amendments by July 15, 2026.
The Court further directed that an Extraordinary General Meeting be held on or before July 31, 2026, where the proposed amendments would be considered clause by clause and voted upon by the General Body.
The minimum notice requirement under the existing Constitution has been dispensed with in view of the statutory timelines.
The Bench also directed that fresh elections to the Executive Committee be conducted on or before September 30, 2026, in accordance with the amended Constitution, the National Sports Governance Act and the Sports Governance Rules.
It further directed the newly elected Executive Committee to ensure that all affiliated State Tennis Associations comply with the statutory framework and applicable international charters by December 31, 2026.
Appearance: Mr. Avi Singh, Senior Advocate with Mr. Akshit Pradhan, Mr. Parth Goswami, Ms. Tanvi Anand and Mr. Divyansh Agrawal, Advocates for AITA; Mr. Gautam Narayan, Senior Advocate with Ms. Asmita Singh, Ms. Trisha Chandran & Mr. Tushar Srivastava, Advocates for Devvarman; Mr. Avi Singh, Senior Advocate with Mr. Akshit Pradhan, Mr. Parth Goswami, Ms. Tanvi Anand & Mr. Divyansh Agrawal, Advs. for R-2. Ms. Nidhi Raman, CGSC with Ms. Akash Mishra, Advocate for UoI
Case title: AITA v. Somdev Kishore Devvarman & Ors.
Case no.: LPA 422/2026