Indian Olympic Association Constitution : Supreme Court Requests Justice Nageswara Rao To Consider Requirements Of International Olympic Committee (IOC)

The Supreme Court, on Monday, noted that its former Judge, Justice L. Nageswara Rao, appointed to take over the process of amending the sports body's constitution, preparing its electoral rolls, and conducting elections to the executive body of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), is at liberty to take a holistic perspective while amending the Constitution of the Indian Olympic Association. However, while doing so the requirements of the Charter of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are to be taken into consideration to avoid any future complication in this regard. Pursuant to the appointment of Justice Rao on 22.09.2022, a joint meeting, organised by the IOC, took place in Lausanne on 27.09.2022. In its order dated 22.09.2022, the Apex Court had asked the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, who would represent the Union Government, to submit a report containing the summary of the discussion at the said meeting. On Monday, upon perusal of the report submitted by the Union Government, the Bench comprising Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Hima Kolhi noted that the first step envisaged is the preparation of the Constitution to bring about governance reforms, for the purpose of which the IOC and the Olympic Council of Asia has agreed to cooperate with Justice Rao. It further observed that once the IOA constitution is finalised, it ought to be adopted by the General Assembly of IOA. The second step as per the report of the Union Government suggests conducting the IOA elections in terms with the newly adopted constitution. The whole process is required to be completed before the IOC Executive Board meeting in December 2022. In terms of the discussion at the meeting in Lausanne, a suggested timeline for completing the entire process of drafting the new constitution, and completion of the election has also been provided in the said report. The Bench stated that it would appreciate if the suggested timelines are duly facilitated, while Justice Rao holistically looks into the matter. "Since a copy of this order will be placed before Justice Nageswara Rao, we would appreciate if the suggested timelines are duly facilitated." It further added - "Once the new constitution has been duly adopted and concurred with by IOC there shall be a direction to the effect that the new constitution would be adopted by the IOA-General body under a mandatory direction of this court." The Bench will hear the matter next after the Diwali vacation. [Case Title: Indian Olympic Association v. UOI And Ors. SLP(C) No. 14533/2022]Click Here To Read/Download Order

Indian Olympic Association Constitution : Supreme Court Requests Justice Nageswara Rao To Consider Requirements Of International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Sohini Chowdhury

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