Raghumit Singh Sodhi v. Indian Olympic Association And ORS

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision : January 17, 2025 RAGHUMIT SINGH SODHI -PETITIONER V/S INDIAN OLYMPIC ASSOCIATION AND ORS -RESPONDENTS

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE KULDEEP TIWARI

Present:

Mr. Narender Singh, Advocate for the petitioner.

Ms. Vanshika Lamba, Advocate (Through V.C.) for the respondent No.1.

Mr. Mohit Shukla, Advocate for Mr. Tejinder Bir Singh, Advocate for the respondents No.2 and 6.

Mr. Susheel Gautam, Advocate for the respondent No.3.

Mr. Akhil Ahuja, Advocate for the respondents No.4 and 11.

Mr. Ankur Goyat, Advocate for the respondents No.5 and 9.

Mr. Beant Singh Seemar, Advocate for the applicants (in CM-315-2025).

None for the respondents No.7, 8 and 10.

*** KULDEEP TIWARI, J. (ORAL) 1.

The petitioner, being one of the members of the Chandigarh Olympic Association, has instituted the instant writ petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India. The prayer encapsulated in the instant writ petition appertains to quashing the elections dated 17.03.2021. 2.

The instant petition was filed way back in the year 2021 and

during pendency of this writ petition, the tenure of the office bearers concerned had come to an end. Therefore, now fresh elections are required to be held.

3.

On account of the supervening events, the learned counsels appearing before this Court have arrived at consensus ad idem in respect of the following aspects:

(i) fresh elections be held in the month of March, 2025; (ii) an independent administrator be appointed for conducting elections;

(iii) the administrator appointed by this Court shall, in view of the existing members of the society, conduct the elections in the month of March, 2025, by ensuring compliance of the requisite Rules and Regulations of the Chandigarh Olympic Association, Indian Olympic Association and National Sports Development Code of India, 2011;

(iv) after completion of elections, the administrator shall hand over the charge to the newly elected governing body. 4.

In view of the consensus ad idem (supra), this Court deems it appropriate to direct the Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh, to appoint an administrator, but now below the rank of an All India Service officer, for conducting the elections of the society concerned. The administrator, so appointed, shall take over the charge of the society for the purpose of conducting elections and the office bearers of the society shall hand over the entire record to the administrator. After successful completion of elections,

the administrator is directed to hand over the charge of the society to the newly elected governing body.

5.

Disposed of accordingly.

6.

Pending application(s) also stand disposed of accordingly. (KULDEEP TIWARI) January 17, 2025 JUDGE devinder Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether Reportable :

Yes/No