Strong Measures Needed To Infuse Purity & Independence In Sports Bodies : Supreme Court In Kabbadi Federation Dispute

While hearing a matter relating to the Kabbadi Federation , the Supreme Court on Tuesday said that some strong measures are required to be taken to "infuse purity, fairness, autonomy and independence" in the election of Sports Federations in India and to "oust such persons who have monopolized the sports federation for their vested interest.”

The bench took note of the offensive contents of a letter written by the "so-called" President of the Asian Kabbadi Federation to the Amateur Kabbadi Federation of India(AKFI), and asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta about the possibility of a CBI investigation, potentially involving INTERPOL, and pursuing diplomatic channels to resolve disputes surrounding the federation's recognition.

“Taking into consideration the oral submissions made on behalf of the intervenors and the learned Administrator, and also having taken cognizance 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 monopolized the sports federation for their vested interest.”, the court remarked.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh was hearing a writ petition filed by Priyanka and Pooja seeking permission to participate in the Asian Kabbadi Championship to be held in Iran from February 20 to 25. Their participation is under cloud as the AKFI has been suspended by the International Kabbadi Federation(which is alleged to be only a private company registered in India). The petitioners contended that while the AKFI has the recognition of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, the 'International Kabaddi Federation' has no government recognition and was only a self-professsed body.

The Court directed the Solicitor General to obtain immediate instructions on four key points:

(i) To explore the diplomatic channels for resolution of the conflict re: recognition of Sports Associations, most urgently the Kabaddi Federation of India.

(ii) The Director, CBI would 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.

(iii) To ensure that the Kabaddi players and other sports persons are allowed to participate in international competitions, including the ensuing Asian Kabaddi Championship at Iran.

(iv) 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/nominated persons, who can be permitted to participate in the election of Governing body of the National Federation.

The matter is next listed on Feb. 6, 2024.

Mr. K Parameshwar, Sr. Adv. appeared for the Petitioners

Mr. Tushar Mehta, SG, appeared for the Union; Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayan for intervenors.

Case Title: PRIYANKA & ANR. VERSUS UNION OF INDIA & ORS. 

Click here to read/download the order