Delhi HC sets aside Patel's election

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday set aside the election of Praful Patel as the president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for a four-year term, his third successive tenure.

The court set aside the elections saying they were held without following the National Sports Code. It also directed that fresh elections be conducted within a period of five months.

A bench of justices S Ravindra Bhat and Najmi Waziri also appointed former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi as an administrator to look into the functioning of the AIFF.

AIFF, meanwhile, said it will wait for the detailed judgement to decide its future course of action. "AIFF is not aware of the reasons of the Hon'ble Delhi High Court to pass this order. Once AIFF receives the copy of the Order from the Hon'ble High Court, AIFF will decide the course of action in accordance with the law," the federation said.

The AIFF said that the High Court in its order dated December 15, 2016 had observed that the election ought to be conducted as per the applicable rules of the institution concerned and also in consonance with the National Sports Code and the elections guidelines contained with respect to conduct and eligibility conditions including age, tenure and restrictions.

"The Hon'ble Court further vide the same order restrained AIFF from completing its election scheduled for 21st Dec, 2016. AIFF had approached the High Court and filed a detailed affidavit to bring on record that AIFF has followed the Election process as prescribed under Sports Code, its Constitution as well FIFA & AFC statutes."