RAHUL MEHRA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Seasons may come and seasons may go but some entities remain recalcitrant to abide by the law of the land. Despite a passage of 57 years, many National Sports Federations ('NSFs') have not complied with the Government of India's National Sports Code, 2011 (Sports Code), the 1975 Circular, the 2001 Guidelines and the judgments of courts. Generations of youth have turned to middle age and into senior citizens, without having had the benefit or availability of even minimum sports infrastructure or fair opportunities for participating or excelling in or enjoying the sports discipline of their choice. Compliance is to be ensured largely by the Government of India which grants recognition to sports bodies as NSF. Non-compliance, with the regime of law, is clearly against public interest.

(2.) In essence, this writ petition seeks compliance by NSFs with the Sports Code and orders passed by the courts. The petitioner says that despite more than a decade having gone by, many NSFs continue to breach the Sports Code and its strict mandates, while simultaneously they continue to enjoy governmental grants, concessions and recognition. There have been, however, notable instances when the Government of India has acted strictly against non-compliance by erring NSFs and the latter have promptly fallen in line.

(3.) On 8/1/2021 and 22/1/2021, this court had directed the respondent as under:-