The Delhi High Court on Tuesday stepped into the upcoming All India Tennis Association (AITA) elections, demanding a response from the AITA regarding a petition alleging violations of the Sports Code. Former Indian tennis stars Somdev Devvarman and Purav Raja filed the petition, claiming the election process was not transparent and violated regulations.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, presiding over the case, issued notices to both the AITA and the central government. The judge, while declining to put a complete hold on the election at this stage, ordered that the election results, slated for September 28th, should not be made public.
The petitioners’ legal representatives argued that the AITA was conducting the election in a clandestine manner, with no information readily available on their website. They also contended that the AITA’s actions were a blatant disregard for the Sports Code and previous decisions made by the High Court.
In response to the petition, the court directed the petitioners to include the Returning Officer of the election as a party to the proceedings. The court also instructed the AITA and the central government to submit their replies.
The judge highlighted that if the election is later found to be in violation of the Sports Code, the elected officials will not be allowed to assume their roles. In such a case, the court indicated that an independent entity might be appointed to manage the AITA affairs.
“I am not staying the election. Elections require a lot of preparation. If the election process is conducted in defiance of the subsisting directions, the office bearers will be restrained from functioning. Then we will consider appointing someone as the ad hoc (body)…That election will be set aside,” the court stated.
The court’s order further stated, “In the meantime, the election of respondent no 2 will be subject to the outcome of the instant writ petition.. The result of the election shall not be published.”
The matter will be further heard on October 14th, where the court will receive the AITA’s response and make a decision on the validity of the election.
