PIL in Delhi HC to hold volleyball federation polls as per National Sports Code

The Delhi High Court has sought the Centre's response on a plea for appointment of an administrator to hold fresh elections to the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) currently suspended by an international governing body.

The plea sought that the elections for the office bearers should be held according to the National Sports Code.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar issued notice to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, VFI and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and sought their stand on the PIL which has said that if VFI continues to be suspended then the Indian Volleyball team may not be able to participate in the 2018 Asian Games scheduled to be held in August.

The petition, filed by various volleyball players, said that the International Federation of Volleyball, which suspended VFI, had said that the order will remain in effect till fresh polls are held to select office bearers of the sports body.

The plea, moved through advocate Rahul Mehra, has contended that election of VFI is urgent as selection, training and participation of players for the Asian Games would depend on revocation of the suspension of the sports body apart from restoring its recognition.

The petition claimed there was infighting in the VFI which resulted in its affairs "not being attended to properly".

It has also alleged that the last elections held in the sports body in April 2016 were conducted in complete violation of the National Sports Code especially the 'Model Election Guidelines' stipulated therein.

The plea has also sought directions to the ministry to conduct an independent investigation in to the matter and bar all those members of VFI who have been responsible for gross misconduct in the day-to-day administration of the sports body.