The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to clarify its position regarding a plea filed by the Bihar Olympic Association. The state association is contesting the IOA’s decision to appoint an ad-hoc committee to oversee its operations, a move it deems “illegal.”
Justice Sachin Datta has given the IOA one week to respond to the Bihar body’s petition, which calls for the restoration of its status ahead of the 38th national games set to commence on January 28. The Bihar Olympic Association’s legal challenge comes after a single-member fact-finding panel was assigned in November 2024 to investigate alleged complaints concerning its functioning and election procedures.
Advocate Neha Singh, representing the petitioner, argued that the appointment of the ad-hoc committee on January 1 was made unilaterally and without proper notification or opportunity for the Bihar association to address the complaints. Singh criticized the IOA’s actions as lacking in transparency and procedural fairness, particularly highlighting that the IOA constitution does not authorize its president to replace a duly elected body without consultation with the executive committee members.
The controversy stems from internal disputes within the Bihar Olympic Association, which have reportedly affected its administrative operations and its preparation for upcoming national games. The petitioner is seeking a judicial review to overturn the decision to implement an ad-hoc committee, arguing that it undermines the autonomy and integrity of the state association.
