Justice (Retd.) Gita Mittal to Oversee Constitutional Amendments and Fresh Elections in Compliance with National Sports Governance Act
In a landmark decision, the Delhi High Court has upheld the appointment of Justice (Retd.) Gita Mittal as the Administrator of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), signaling a significant step towards ensuring compliance with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and the Sports Governance Rules, 2026. The decision came in response to appeals challenging the governance practices within AITA and the need for alignment with updated statutory frameworks governing national sports federations.
The bench, consisting of Mr. Tejas Karia and Ms. Madhu Jain, JJs, deliberated on the appeals filed by both the AITA and tennis player Somdev Kishore Devvarman, among others, against a previous judgment that mandated the appointment of an external administrator to amend the AITA's Constitution and oversee its elections. The court emphasized that the appointment does not infringe upon the institutional autonomy of the AITA, a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, but is a necessary measure to ensure lawful governance and safeguard the interests of athletes.
The judgment directed the Administrator to finalize the amendments to the AITA Constitution and Bye-Laws, facilitating an Extraordinary General Meeting for voting on these amendments. This move is part of a broader effort to align the AITA’s governance structure with the timelines stipulated by the Sports Act and Rules, with fresh elections to be conducted under the amended framework by September 2026.
The court's decision reflects a balanced approach, addressing concerns about third-party interference while upholding the need for regulatory compliance. It also dispenses with the minimum notice period for convening the Extraordinary General Meeting due to the urgency of the matter.
The judgment also addressed the concerns raised by the Union of India and international sporting bodies regarding potential impacts on the AITA’s international standing. The court noted that continued oversight by the Administrator is vital to prevent further mismanagement and factionalism within the association, as highlighted in the submissions by Mr. Somdev Kishore Devvarman.
This decision marks a critical juncture for the governance of sports federations in India, ensuring they operate within the legal frameworks designed to promote transparency and accountability while fostering an environment conducive to the athletes' development.
Bottom line:-
Appointment of Administrator for ensuring compliance with the National Sports Development Code, Sports Act, and Sports Governance Rules in a National Sports Federation does not amount to third-party interference if it aims to secure lawful governance and protect athletes' interests.
Statutory provision(s): Article 226 of the Constitution, Societies Registration Act, 1860, National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, National Sports Governance Act, 2025, Sports Governance Rules, 2026
All India Tennis Association v. Somdev Kishore Devvarman, (Delhi)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2928691
