CJI Sanjiv Khanna Recuses From Hearing Pleas Relating To Indian Olympic Association & All India Football Federation

Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna today (January 6) recused from hearing a batch of pleas relating to the proposals of draft constitutions of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and All India Football Federation (AIFF). The CJI cited that he had earlier heard one of the matters as a High Court Judge in Delhi. 

The bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was hearing the pleas by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and All India Football Federation (AIFF) relating to the proposed reforms in the sports associations. 

Notably, in September 2022 the Apex Court appointed its former Judge, Justice L. Nageswara Rao, to take over the process of amending the sports body's constitution, preparing its electoral rolls; and conducting elections to its executive body.

The IOA had challenged the Delhi High Court order which had put the affairs of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in the hands of a Committee of Administrators (CoA) as per the Supreme Court order in All India Football Federation vs. Rahul Mehra. 

The AIFF had also approached the Court for approval of the final draft of its constitution, after the appointment of Justice L. Nageswara Rao in 2023 to take over the process of considering the draft Constitution. 

The CJI however verbally remarked that he had earlier heard the matter when he was serving as a Delhi High Court Judge. He ordered that the matter will be listed before Justice PS Narasimha for consideration. 

"To be listed before the bench presided over by HMJ Justice PS Narasimha," the order read. 

Notably, in the Rahul Mehra Case, the Apex Court, to facilitate the holding of elections and handing over the affairs to a democratically elected body in terms of the Constitution of All India Football Federation which will be adopted, had re-constituted the Committee of Administrators of AIFF. The Top Court also asked the Committee of Administrators to take charge of all the affairs of AIFF immediately. 

Today, the bench was informed by Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra for the petitioners that the two matters were connected as "there are larger reforms which will affect every single sport in India". 

Sr Advocate Maneka Guruswamy appearing for 35 State Indian Olympic Associations also informed the bench that the Parliament will consider the  National Sports Governance bill in March. 

Sr Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan appearing as an amicus also submitted that a report has been filed along with a chart relating to the suggestions to the draft constitutions. 

On the last hearing, the IAFF was permitted by the Court to file objections to the draft constitution proposed by Justice Rao.

The matter will now be heard on February 10. 

Case Details : INDIAN OLYMPIC ASSOCIATION Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS SLP(C) No. 14533/2022 and Connected matters.