New Delhi: On Monday, the Delhi High Court issued a stay on the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) decision to form an ad hoc committee to oversee the Boxing Federation of India (BFI).

The IOA had announced the establishment of this ad hoc panel on February 24, citing "administrative instability" within the federation, with Madhukant Pathak, the general secretary of the Jharkhand Olympic Association, appointed as its head. This development followed the Indian boxers' disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics, where they returned without any medals, a situation exacerbated by the contentious departure of foreign coach Bernard Dunne.

Justice Sachin Datta, presiding over the bench, stayed the IOA's order, referencing a previous ruling from February 24 that annulled the ad hoc committee formed by IOA president PT Usha to manage the Bihar Olympic Association (BOA). The court had determined that the IOA president lacked the authority to unilaterally assume control over a state association's operations, asserting that the power to establish an ad hoc body resides with the general assembly. Nevertheless, on the same day, Usha proceeded to create an ad hoc panel for the BFI.

Additionally, the court issued a notice regarding the BFI's request to annul the order and scheduled the next hearing for March 27.

The court issued a notice, allowing a response to be submitted within two weeks. In light of the aforementioned arguments presented by BFI’s counsel and considering the court's ruling in (BOA v IOA), the enforcement of the contested order will be suspended, as stated in the court's directive.

The plea from BFI, represented by senior advocate Anurag Ahluwalia and advocate Raghav Bhatia, contended that the order was issued unilaterally by Usha without prior notification, thereby breaching the principles of natural justice and exceeding her authority. It asserted that the order violated the established procedures outlined in the Memorandum and the Rules and Regulations of the IOA, emphasizing that the president of the IOA lacked the authority to unilaterally appoint a commission or committee. Several members of the IOA’s Executive Committee expressed their shock and concern regarding the order, which was enacted without their statutory endorsement.

The plea further stated, "BFI operates as an independent and autonomous entity governed by its own Constitution, rules, and regulations. The decision made by the President of the IOA exceeds her jurisdiction and is ultra vires to the powers granted under the IOA Constitution."

Additionally, BFI argued that this sudden interference in its operations could lead to confusion and instability, particularly as the federation was conducting elections, potentially fostering a negative perception within the international sporting community.

The plea maintained that "the unexpected intervention in BFI's affairs could expose India to adverse actions from World Boxing and other international sports organizations. The unjustified establishment of an ad hoc committee threatens the autonomy of National Sports Federations (NSFs) and sets a perilous precedent for future intrusions into the governance of other sports federations."

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