New Delhi:
After the Bombay High Court, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday stayed the election process in Hockey India (HI) following failure of the Central government to clarify the legal position regarding HI and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).
Compounding the problems for Hockey India, the Bombay High Court earlier today had stayed the HI elections for three weeks on a petition filed by Mumbai Hockey Association.
Contrary to the guidelines for recognition of sports federation, the Centre had told the Delhi High Court that both the HI and IHF were recognised bodies for the sport.
Pointing out the violation of the guidelines which says that there can be only one recognised body for the sport, Justice S Murlidhar said, "This court is left with no option but to stay the election process till further orders."
The High Court came down heavily on the Central government for not complying with its order regarding recognition of Hockey India (HI) despite the assurance given by its advocate on Tuesday.
Despite the High Court's order that HI is a private body and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) the only recognised body of the sport, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said that both IHF and HI are recognised bodies.
Furious over the stand taken by the government, Justice Muralidhar said that it's a breach of the court's order and directed the government to issue fresh letter. The government, however, refused maintaining the stand that both the HI and the IHF are recognised bodies.
Joint Secretary (Sports) Injeti Srinivas, who appeared before the court, said that the HI is also a government recognised body.
The court made it clear that the elections in the HI will not be allowed as long as the confusion persists.
The High Court yesterday said the government should not associate itself with the HI elections as it is a private body and held that the IHF is the only recognised body for the sport in the country.
It had also asked the government to withdraw its observer appointed to monitor the HI election.
The High Court had on May 21 set aside the Centre's decision of the government and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) the de-affiliation of the Federation.
On the proceedings in the Bombay High Court, Mumbai Hockey Association lawyer Vijendra Jabra told PTI that a stay has been granted on the elections scheduled on Wednesday in New Delhi as the HI violated the High Court's earlier order.
In January, the High Court had directed the Hockey India to consider the MHA's application for recognition within six weeks. However, the HI did not comply with the order, so the MHA had filed a fresh petition.
The court on Wednesday stayed the elections and will hear the matter in due course, he said.
The Hockey India, which has the recognition of International Hockey Federation (FIH), has to complete its election as stipulated by the world body by July 31, failing which India would be barred from participating in international tournaments.
Compounding the problems for Hockey India, the Bombay High Court earlier today had stayed the HI elections for three weeks on a petition filed by Mumbai Hockey Association.
Contrary to the guidelines for recognition of sports federation, the Centre had told the Delhi High Court that both the HI and IHF were recognised bodies for the sport.
Pointing out the violation of the guidelines which says that there can be only one recognised body for the sport, Justice S Murlidhar said, "This court is left with no option but to stay the election process till further orders."
The High Court came down heavily on the Central government for not complying with its order regarding recognition of Hockey India (HI) despite the assurance given by its advocate on Tuesday.
Despite the High Court's order that HI is a private body and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) the only recognised body of the sport, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said that both IHF and HI are recognised bodies.
Furious over the stand taken by the government, Justice Muralidhar said that it's a breach of the court's order and directed the government to issue fresh letter. The government, however, refused maintaining the stand that both the HI and the IHF are recognised bodies.
Joint Secretary (Sports) Injeti Srinivas, who appeared before the court, said that the HI is also a government recognised body.
The court made it clear that the elections in the HI will not be allowed as long as the confusion persists.
The High Court yesterday said the government should not associate itself with the HI elections as it is a private body and held that the IHF is the only recognised body for the sport in the country.
It had also asked the government to withdraw its observer appointed to monitor the HI election.
The High Court had on May 21 set aside the Centre's decision of the government and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) the de-affiliation of the Federation.
On the proceedings in the Bombay High Court, Mumbai Hockey Association lawyer Vijendra Jabra told PTI that a stay has been granted on the elections scheduled on Wednesday in New Delhi as the HI violated the High Court's earlier order.
In January, the High Court had directed the Hockey India to consider the MHA's application for recognition within six weeks. However, the HI did not comply with the order, so the MHA had filed a fresh petition.
The court on Wednesday stayed the elections and will hear the matter in due course, he said.
The Hockey India, which has the recognition of International Hockey Federation (FIH), has to complete its election as stipulated by the world body by July 31, failing which India would be barred from participating in international tournaments.
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