K BHASKARAN Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is a writ petition whereby the petitioners seek a direction to the respondents to announce Indian Kabaddi Team comprising of petitioners by clearing all the formalities at the earliest so as to enable them to participate in the 13th Asian Games at Bangkok which are starting on December 6, 1998.

(2.) The genesis of this case is in a dispute between two factions of the fourth respondent, Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India. While one faction is led by Shri Kuldeep Vats, the other faction is led by Shri J.S. Gehlot. Both S/Shri Vats and Gehlot were claiming to have been elected to the post of the President of the said association. The faction led by Shri Vats under the supervision of an observer of the Sports Authority of India selected the Kabaddi team comprising of the petitioners to represent India at the 13th Asian Games. According to the petitioners, various Kabaddi coaching camps were organised for them at different places as per the following details :-

(3.) It is significant to point out that in Civil Writ Petition No. 2883 of 1998 a Single Judge of the Rajasthan High Court passed an order on 18/9/1998 which had the effect of directing the concerned authority to appoint an arbitrator for the resolution of disputes between the two factions in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Court in M.P. Triathlon Association through its Secretary and another v. Indian Triathlon Federation and others, (1996) 11 S.C.C. 593. Pursuant to the direction of the Rajasthan High Court and in accordance with Rule XIX of the Rules and Regulations of the Indian Olympic Association, the Indian Olympic Association appointed Shri B.S. Ojha, Vice President of the Indian Olympic Association, as an arbitrator for resolving the disputes between the above said two factions.