The Indian Olympic Association on friday filed an appeal in the Delhi High Court, challenging a recent order that nullified its decision to form an ad-hoc committee to manage the affairs of the Bihar Olympic Association.
The case was heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, which has now issued a notice to the Bihar Olympic Association and asked for its response.
Why Was the Ad-Hoc Committee Formed?
The IOA had appointed an ad-hoc committee to take over the administration of the Bihar Olympic Association, reportedly citing issues related to mismanagement, internal conflicts, or lack of compliance with organizational norms. However, the Bihar Olympic Association challenged the decision in the Delhi High Court, saying it was not informed, consulted, or given a chance to respond before the IOA took such a drastic step.
Earlier, a single-judge bench of the Delhi High Court sided with the Bihar Olympic Association. The judge ruled that the IOA had violated the principles of natural justice by not giving the state body an opportunity to be heard or access the materials based on which the decision was made. The court noted that even if there were concerns about the Bihar association’s functioning, proper procedure had to be followed before stripping it of its powers.
As a result, the court set aside the formation of the ad-hoc committee, effectively restoring the status quo.
IOA’s Appeal
In response, the IOA has now appealed this verdict, defending its decision but also seeking the court’s permission to begin the process anew — this time ensuring that all legal and procedural steps are followed. Representing the IOA, lawyers told the division bench that the association is willing to reinitiate the process, if necessary, in compliance with due process.
The division bench acknowledged the single judge’s concerns and has granted time to the IOA to file a detailed response outlining its next steps.
Court’s Interim Direction
Issuing a notice to the Bihar Olympic Association, the High Court has asked it to respond to IOA’s appeal. The matter will be taken up for further hearing after the IOA submits its reply. For now, the court has not stayed the single judge’s decision, which means the Bihar Olympic Association continues to manage its affairs independently until further orders.
Why This Case Matters
This legal battle is not just about one state Olympic body it raises broader questions about the accountability of national sports federations and how they exercise their authority over state units. The IOA, being the apex sports body in India affiliated with the International Olympic Committee, plays a central role in ensuring proper governance across state associations.
However, the court’s emphasis on due process and fairness could set a precedent, requiring national federations to act transparently and lawfully when taking disciplinary or administrative action.
The case is expected to be closely watched by sports bodies across the country and could influence how internal disputes within sports administration are handled in the future.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
