In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to clarify its position regarding the establishment of an interim committee by World Boxing to oversee the Boxing Federation of India (BFI). The court’s directive came while addressing the petitions filed by two suspended BFI office bearers.
The petitioners, Digvijay Singh, the Treasurer, and Hemanta Kumar Kalita, the Secretary General of the BFI, were suspended on March 18 following allegations of financial misconduct. Their legal challenge asserts that the suspension orders were unjust, void, and breached the principles of natural justice, thereby preventing them from performing their official responsibilities.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that World Boxing had formed an interim committee on April 7 to manage the federation’s affairs after receiving appeals from Indian boxing stakeholders for stability in the sport’s administration in India. This committee was set up to ensure that the governance of boxing in India remained unaffected amidst the ongoing internal disputes within the BFI.
Justice Mini Pushkarna, presiding over the case, emphasized the need for the Union of India, specifically the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, to present its stance regarding the interim committee’s formation as per the letter issued by World Boxing.
“The Union of India must disclose how it intends to proceed with the elections of the Boxing Federation of India in light of these developments,” Justice Pushkarna stated in the order dated April 8.
The inquiry into the allegations against Singh and Kalita was led by former Delhi High Court judge Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain, appointed by the BFI. The investigation stemmed from complaints accusing the duo of unauthorized fund withdrawals, fraudulent billing, and misuse of power.
The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for April 23.
