Supreme Court Proposes Inquiry Into Sports Federations, Says 'They Have Everything Except Sportspersons & Activities'

Lamenting the state of affairs in Sports Federations across India, the Supreme Court today expressed an intention to constitute a Commission to enquire into their activities.

"Unless, to our satisfaction, a deeper probe is held into affairs of this so-called Federation...we are inclined to appoint a Commission of Inquiry...and not only this Federation, we will expand the scope (to other national, international, state federations). Whatever is happening is most unfortunate thing. Other than sportsperson and sports activity, everything is there. This is not acceptable...if the Union will do, we will welcome that, otherwise we know our...", conveyed Justice Surya Kant.

A bench of Justices Kant and NK Singh was dealing with a writ petition filed by 2 women players, Priyanka and Pooja, seeking permission to participate in the Senior Asian Kabbadi Championship 2025 (Women) held in Iran from February 20 to 25. Their participation was met with difficulty as the Amateur Kabbadi Federation of India (AKFI) was suspended by the International Kabbadi Federation on the ground that it was not being managed by an elected body.

In earlier proceedings, the Court expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in administration of sports bodies and framed certain issues, including the need for a CBI investigation, for adjudication. To facilitate the players' participation in the championship, it subsequently requested Justice (Retired) SP Garg, who was appointed by the Delhi High Court as the administrator of AKFI, to hand over the charge of the Federation to the governing body (said to have been elected in the election held on December 24, 2023) to administer the AKFI.

The Court although clarified that its order to entrust the charge of the Federation to the elected body shall not be seen as an endorsement of the election of the AKFI body and that the issues were open for adjudication.

Today, Senior Advocate K Parameswar (for the petitioners) thanked the Court as pursuant to its directions, the players were able to participate and won the gold medal. On the other hand, Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy (for intervenors) drew attention to the Court's last order, which asked the Union to consider CBI investigation into the activities of the International Kabaddi Federation.

On behalf of the Union, ASG KM Nataraj apprised that the charge of the AKFI has been handed over to the governing body, pursuant to which the players were sent and they won a gold medal. "Our Federation has got international recognition as well, that is also completed", the ASG added. Underlining that the only remaining aspect is how the investigation is to be conducted, he sought 2 weeks' time to come back with instructions. Accordingly, the matter was adjourned, while allowing certain intervention applications filed by former/national/international players seeking to submit their views about the Federation's affairs.

Although Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan (for intervenors) asked the Court to have CBI first submit a PE (Preliminary Enquiry), the bench declined. 

Notably, at one point, Parmeswar raised a grievance that the petitioner-players and their achievements were belittled. He mentioned that the intervenors set up an alternate association and sent their own team by the name of 'Team India'. In response, Justice Kant remarked that sportspersons should keep away from all such things and devote their time towards their sports activities. "We will dissolve all these associations. As far as sportspersons are concerned, nobody is touching them. Infact, they should keep themselves completely away from...".

Case Title: PRIYANKA & ANR. VERSUS UNION OF INDIA & ORS | W.P.(C) 93/2025