Notice on plea for quashing Badminton Association polls

The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the central government and the Badminton Association of India (BAI) on a PIL seeking quashing of recently-held elections in the sports body.

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw, in the notice Wednesday, sought response, along with sports ministry and the BAI, from BAI's new president Akhilesh Das Gupta, general secretary Vijay Sinha and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

The PIL filed by former international power lifter Maj. Surendra Poonia has sought quashing of the BAI election, saying there was arbitrariness in holding the election for BAI office bearers.

The plea alleged manipulation in the BAI elections, where all the nominations were filed in the presence and on behest of BAI president Gupta.

The elections had been conducted six months before the present term of the BAI office-bearers was to get over, contended advocate Shailendra Singh appearing for Poonia.

Poonia, challenging the arbitrary functioning of the BAI president and his team in running the shuttle sport in the country, said by arbitrarily amending the BAI constitution, the president has virtually made the treasurer defunct and taken all his powers.

The BAI constitution has also been amended in such a manner that no outsider can contest for the post of the BAI president or general secretary, said the plea.

The BAI elections were held on Jan 25.