Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 29: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has taken serious note of issues concerning democratic functioning, fairness and compliance with the Sports Code in recognised sports associations across the Union Territory, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation titled Bakhtawar Singh and others vs UT of J&K and others.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal was hearing WP(C)PIL No. 7/2025, in which questions have been raised regarding the functioning of sports associations, eligibility of office bearers, representation of sportspersons and women players, district units and financial discipline.
In response to the earlier order dated April 7, 2026, the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council filed an affidavit through its Secretary, stating that the Council is committed to ensuring fairness, democratic functioning and compliance with the applicable Sports Code. The Council further submitted that every possible effort is being made to implement the National Sports Development Code, 2011, the Sports Council guidelines, the Sports Code 2013 and mandatory guidelines issued by the J&K Sports Council.
The Sports Council informed the Court that it has undertaken a systematic exercise to bring recognised sports associations in line with norms relating to their constitutions, democratic elections, eligibility of office bearers, representation of sportspersons, district units and financial discipline. It was also stated that associations were cautioned that continued non-compliance would invite financial and regulatory consequences. As an immediate corrective measure, the Council said it has withheld grants of the concerned associations without abruptly derecognising them, so that sportspersons are not adversely affected.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for the Sports Council submitted that, under the governing norms, associations seeking recognition are required to ensure that at least 25 percent of their members are outstanding sportspersons and 10 percent are women players, with equal voting rights to district units and associations in the elections of the executive body. It was further submitted that in recent elections conducted under the Council’s supervision, there was no violation of these conditions.
The Court was also informed about developments concerning the J&K Badminton Association. As per the affidavit, the association had conveyed to the Council that its President, Chander Parkash Sharma, resigned in September 2025. Similarly, General Secretary Balbir Singh Jamwal also submitted his resignation, while Dr. O.D. Sharma, Chairman of the Badminton Association, submitted his resignation on April 21, 2026.
However, counsel for the petitioners, S.S. Ahmed, disputed whether the mandatory requirement of including 25 percent outstanding sportspersons and 10 percent women players in the associations was actually being followed. He sought time to place a specific affidavit before the Court indicating the true and actual position.
Taking note of the submissions, the Division Bench deferred the matter and posted it for further consideration on May 21, 2026.
Counsels appearing in the matter included M/s S.S. Ahmed, Supriya Chouhan and M. Zulkernain Chowdhary for the petitioners; Monika Kohli, Senior AAG, for respondent Nos. 1 and 2; Anshuja Tak for respondent No. 3; Azim H. Laskar and Bikas K. Gupta; and Amjid Maqbool through virtual mode for respondent No. 4. (JNF) |