The Delhi High Court has restrained the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) ad-hoc committee from proceeding with the formation of a new national sports association for Ski and Snowboard India (SSI), stating that such an action appears prima facie beyond the committee’s authority.
Justice Sachin Datta, in an interim order dated May 23, directed the ad-hoc committee to refrain from acting upon its May 6 notice calling for the “First General Meeting for Registration and Election of the New National Sports Association (NSA) for Ski and Snowboard India” until the next hearing scheduled for July 8.
The court issued the order while hearing an application filed by SSI, which has challenged the constitution of the ad-hoc committee and its subsequent actions. The court observed that the IOA’s move to create a new body through its ad-hoc committee lacked clear constitutional backing.
“In the present case, not only has an ‘Ad-hoc Committee’ been constituted, the said Committee is seeking to create a ‘new NSA’ out of the petitioner. Prima facie, this is way beyond the scope of authority of the IOA,” the bench stated.
The High Court also took note of the October 13, 2023 order through which the ad-hoc committee was constituted, observing that it could not be construed as granting power to create a new association or compel SSI-affiliated state entities to participate in such a process.
“Prima facie, in the guise of appointing an ad-hoc committee to manage the affairs of the petitioner, it is impermissible to change the juristic nature and foundational character of the society,” the order said.
Advocate Neha Singh, appearing for SSI, argued that the ad-hoc committee was formed without issuing a show-cause notice to the association and in violation of principles of natural justice and the National Sports Development Code. The petition asserted that the IOA president acted unilaterally, bypassing consultation with the executive committee as mandated by the IOA Constitution.
The court has sought responses from the IOA and the central government, and asked IOA counsel to clarify whether any provision under its constitution authorises such action by an ad-hoc body.
The matter will be heard next on July 8, 2025.
