The Delhi High Court recently appointed Justice P Krishna Bhat, a former Karnataka High Court judge, as the administrator of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) to conduct elections in accordance with the National Sports Code and Model Election Guidelines (MEG).
A single bench of Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav directed Justice Bhat to complete the election process as soon as possible and stated that he will serve as administrator until the newly elected body assumes control of the federation.
“The election process, however, will continue from the stage of submission of nomination forms after treating the rejected nomination forms as valid… The Administrator shall function till the newly elected body takes over the charge of BFI. There shall be an endeavour to conclude the election process at the earliest,” Justice Kaurav stated.
The Court passed the order, noting that the term of the federation’s office bearers expired on February 18, 2023, and thus the current elected body has no right to continue.
The single bench was hearing a bunch of petitions by state basketball associations challenging the federation’s election process and the decisions of the returning officer. The petitions requested that a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge be appointed to oversee the elections.
“All concerned are directed to co-operate with the Administrator for early conduct of the elections,” the bench further directed.
