Delhi High Court restrains Narinder Dhruv Batra from discharging functions of President of Indian Olympic Association

The Delhi High Court on Friday restrained Narinder Dhruv Batra from discharging functions as the president of the Indian Olympics Association (IOA)..Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma said that Anil Khanna, Senior Vice President of the IOA, will now take over duties and responsibilities of the President and he will also perform any other task or function as directed by the Executive Council or the General Meeting.The Court also issued notice to Batra and the IOA directing them to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them.“This Court considers that the functioning of Sports Federation should be above any kind of doubt. The purity in the functioning of such federations are much more important, than the individual who hold the positions,” the Court held..Justice Sharma was dealing with a contempt petition filed by former Hockey star and Olympian Aslam Sher Khan alleging that Batra as well as the IOA is in contempt of the High Court’s order of May 25, 2022It was argued that the Court had removed him from the position he held in the Hockey India (a National Sports Federation) where he was occupying the post of Life Member.The petition added that Batra has committed contempt of court by continuing as president of the IOA where he was elected by virtue of the post held at Hockey India.Counsel appearing for the IOA told the court that following its order, the International Olympic Committee was informed on June 3, 2022 that Batra has been removed from the post with effect from May 25.He added that the duties and responsibilities of the President, IOA as per the Constitution of IOA has been taken over by Senior Vice President, Anil Khanna..The case will be now listed before the roster bench on August 3..Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur and advocate Vanshdeep Dalmia appeared for the petitioner.Advocate Shyel Trehan appeared for Batra.Advocates Ruchir Mishra and Hemant Phalpher appeared for the IOA.Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma and Central Government Standing Counsel (CGSC) Pratima N Lakra appeared for the Union government..[Read Order]