Follow Code, HC tells AAI

The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Archery Association of India to hold its slated September 29 election for various posts as per the National Sports Development Code, which renders its incumbent 80-year-old President VK Malhotra ineligible to run in the poll.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw also asked the Sports Ministry to issue instructions to AAI to enforce the sports code while holding the elections.

“The Centre and the Archery Association of India (AAI) are directed to ensure that the election for various posts is to be held as per the National Sports Development Code,” the bench said.

The court further said it would pass its order later on the plea to appoint a retired high court or Supreme Court judge as the returning officer for the forth coming election of the sports body.

Besides rendering a person older than 70 years ineligible to run the poll for a sports body office, the sports code also stipulates that no person elected to any office consecutively for three terms with each term being of four years would be eligible to run the poll.