Status Quo by Supreme Court on CoA for Indian Olympic Association

The Hon’ble Supreme Court ordered a status quo on the Delhi High Court’s decision appointing a committee of administrators (CoA) to take over the affairs of the Indian Olympic Association and hold fresh elections. The Delhi High Court had pulled up the Indian Olympic Association for not implementing the National Sports Code. It abolished the post of the President that extended until their lifetime. Further, the Court directed that the tenure of the President and other such office bearers of the Executive Council shall only be limited to three terms, in alignment with the Code. The Court also highlighted the lack of women in senior positions. The court-appointed committee was tasked with holding fresh elections within four months.

The Central Government argued that this was a “sensitive matter” pertaining to international bodies, and appointing a CoA may be seen as an “external influence,” as was the case with FIFA, which suspended the AIFF after the SC appointed a CoA on similar grounds.