The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the All India Tennis Association (AITA) concerning a petition filed by former Indian tennis stars Somdev Devvarman and Purav Raja. The petition challenges the AITA’s upcoming elections scheduled for September 28, alleging violations of the Sports Code. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, overseeing the case, has decided not to stay the election but has stipulated that the results cannot be published until further court review.
The petition accuses AITA of conducting the election process in a “clandestine manner,” highlighting that there was no information available on the association’s official website, which the petitioners argue indicates a lack of transparency and adherence to established sports regulations.
During the proceedings, the senior counsel for Devvarman and Raja requested an immediate stay on the election, arguing that AITA’s conduct blatantly disregards the Sports Code as well as previous decisions by the high court. However, Justice Kaurav declined to halt the election process, noting the extensive preparations involved, but warned that if the elections are found to violate the code, the elected office bearers might be prohibited from assuming their roles.
The court has directed that the Returning Officer of the election be made a party to the proceedings and asked the respondent parties, including AITA and the Centre, to submit their responses. Justice Kaurav emphasized the potential for significant action if the elections are found to be conducted improperly: “If the election process is conducted in defiance of the subsisting directions, the office bearers will be restrained from functioning. Then we will consider appointing someone as the ad hoc (body)…That election will be set aside.”
The next hearing is scheduled for October 14, where the court will further address these concerns.
