SC directs Archery association to hold fresh polls

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Archery Association of India (AAI) to hold fresh polls within four weeks for various positions of office-bearers in the sports body.

The court also declared various amendments brought into the constitution of the AAI by the court-appointed administrator, S Y Quaraishi, illegal.

A bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and Ajay Rastogi relieved Quaraishi of the charge, saying, “all steps taken by the administrator on the basis his constitution, and the elections conducted on December 22, 2018, are null and void and non est in law”.

The move by Quaraishi to bring in fresh amendments into the constitution in line with the BCCI judgement of the apex court, like barring public servants, and going beyond the National Sports Code, was assailed by Maharashtra and Kerala State Archery Association, among others.

It was contended that his “unilateral and unauthorised actions” were not in line with the apex court's order of December 4, 2017 and have caused “serious prejudice” by depriving the existing association members from participating in the election process.

The Union government, as well as Indian Olympic Association, also said the administrator’s constitution was in violation of the Sports Code and the constitution of the World Archery.

The issue of polls in the AAI and appointment of the administrator before the top court have arisen out of the Delhi High Court's orders of August 10, 2017 on a writ petition filed by sports enthusiast, Aam Aadmi Party leader and advocate Rahul Mehta, who sought transparency in governance and functioning of the sports body.

Agreeing to the petitioners' contentions, the court said, “indisputably, the additional amendments incorporated by the administrator have resulted in denial of right to represent in and contest elections of the AAI for the existing members.”