The Delhi High Court on Wednesday declined to grant an immediate stay against the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) decision to establish an ad hoc committee to oversee Ski and Snowboard India (SSI). However, the court has called for the IOA’s stance on the matter, scheduling the next hearing for May 19.
The IOA’s move came after reports of administrative mismanagement within SSI, prompting the appointment of a four-member ad hoc committee led by Shiva Keshavan, a six-time Winter Olympian. This committee, established on October 16, was tasked with conducting elections for SSI’s Executive Committee and managing its overall affairs.
During the proceedings, Justice Sachin Datta responded to SSI’s counsel, Neha Singh, who pressed for a stay on the IOA’s directive. Singh highlighted a communication from the International Ski and Snowboard Federation dated March 12, which indicated a lack of official confirmation from the Union Sports Ministry regarding SSI’s recognition.
Justice Datta, considering the timing and implications of the October 2023 order, opted not to issue a stay without a full hearing. “Considering that the impugned order is of October, 2023, this court is not inclined to pass the stay order without hearing the parties. I’ll hear it after six weeks. You now want a stay?” remarked Justice Datta.
SSI’s petition argues that the IOA’s decision violated its constitution by failing to provide a fair hearing and lacked a legitimate basis since its elections were overseen by observers from the IOA’s own executive committee. The petition also claims that the ad hoc committee has neither attempted to conduct elections nor followed directives to involve judicial oversight, suggesting that the committee’s formation was not only unauthorized but also aimed at indefinitely replacing the elected body without elections.
