The Sports activities Ministry has pulled up the Indian Olympic Affiliation for recognising the Indian Golf Union elections received by Harish Kumar Shetty-led faction, saying “such actions create avoidable duplication and confusion” which can not face up to authorized scrutiny.
The IOA had given recognition to the IGU led by Shetty whereas declaring the opposite physique, headed by Brijinder Singh, void in a letter issued on December 30.
The letter signed by IOA president PT Usha said that the Nationwide Olympic Committee had “reviewed the details” and “examined the procedural adherence” earlier than recognising the physique headed by Shetty.
Nonetheless, the ministry has suggested the IOA to stick to the Olympic constitution, overview the matter, and take acceptable measures to make sure the graceful functioning of the governing physique.
“It has come to the eye of this Ministry that the President, IOA has issued a letter of recognition on 30/12/2024 to a different elected physique offering sure causes to justify the mentioned resolution,” the ministry mentioned in a letter dated January 2.
“It’s not clear whether or not the Indian Olympic Affiliation Govt Committee and/or the involved Affiliation Committee of the IOA or any acceptable committee of IOA has examined the matter with due diligence and regard to established authorized provisions and norms, together with the IGU’s structure and the Sports activities Code.
“Such actions by the IOA create avoidable duplication and confusion and will not face up to authorized scrutiny.” Two AGMs have been held on December 15 to elect the brand new IGU office-bearers — one on the India Habitat Centre (IHC) the place Singh was re-elected president with retired Punjab and Haryana Excessive Court docket choose, Rameshwar Malik, because the Returning Officer, and the opposite AGM on the Olympic Bhawan, the place Shetty was elected with Justice OP Garg (Retd) because the RO.
SPS Tomar was the consultant from the Sports activities Ministry within the elections that was held beneath the supervision of Malik.
Simply forward of the polls, the Bengal Golf Affiliation had challenged Justice Malik’s appointment because the RO, however the Delhi Excessive Court docket had allowed the elections beneath his supervision although it granted the petitioner liberty to legally problem the election outcomes after their declaration.
The ministry then issued a letter on December 28, giving its stamp of approval to the IGU election with Brijender as president and Satish Kumar Sharma as secretary.
“It won’t be misplaced to say that the matter of elections of IGU have already reached the court docket of regulation and the Hon’ble Delhi Excessive Court docket has handed a reasoned order within the matter.
“Moreover, the Worldwide Golf Federation has additionally up to date its report with the newly elected individuals of IGU, which is obtainable on its web site and it appears this truth has additionally been ignored,” the ministry mentioned.
“It’s strongly suggested that the Indian Olympic Affiliation adheres to the processes prescribed in its structure and the Olympic Constitution and respects the autonomy and processes of the Member Nationwide Sports activities Federations.
“The current matter should be rigorously examined by the Affiliation Committee (or any such different acceptable committee answerable for the IOA membership affiliation course of) and the Govt Committee of the IOA, and correct steps needs to be initiated to make sure that the governance of the IOA and IGU run easily as per established regulation and process, in accordance with their respective constitutions.” The ministry additionally took observe of the truth that the elections of the Shetty-led faction was held within the premises of the IOA.
“It has been noticed that elections of a faction of IGU have been facilitated to be performed within the Olympic Bhawan with out due request from the IGU as per the IGU structure,” the ministry mentioned.
“The Mannequin Election Tips as contained within the Sports activities Code, inter-alia, present that it’s the President of the NSF who prepares the Electoral School and, thereafter, the Returning Officer shall begin the method for conduct of the election, which concludes upon election of the workplace bearers.”