The Delhi High Court refused to interfere with the internal functioning of the Table Tennis Federation of India while disposing of an appeal challenging a single judge’s order in a dispute concerning disciplinary action against its secretary general.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia made it clear that while the federation was at liberty to take a fresh decision in accordance with its memorandum of association and governing rules, the Court could not substitute the federation’s elected executive body with a court-appointed mechanism.
Advocate appearing for the respondent raised concerns that members of the executive committee who had earlier participated in the decision against his client may be biased if the matter were reconsidered. It was suggested that either an independent committee or an observer be appointed to ensure fairness in any fresh decision-making process.
The Bench, however, firmly declined the request, observing that judicial intervention could not extend to replacing the elected executive committee of an independent sports federation or supervising its internal affairs. The Court noted that if any adverse decision were taken afresh, the aggrieved party would have remedies available in accordance with law.
At the same time, the Division Bench indicated that it would not disturb the single judge’s findings setting aside the suspension order and reading principles of natural justice into the relevant disciplinary framework.
Clarifying the scope of the inquiry mechanism, the Court observed that any inquiry committee would act only if the federation decides to initiate proceedings afresh in accordance with its rules, and only in relation to the alleged misconduct in question.
The appeal was accordingly disposed of, preserving the federation’s autonomy while requiring adherence to procedural fairness.
Appearances:
Advocates for the petitioner TTFI : Sr Advocates N. Hariharan, Avi Singh, Advocates Prateek Som, Parth Goswami
Advocates for the Respondent: Sr Advocates Amit Sibal, Jayant Mehta, Abhishek Malhotra