Today is ‘Judgement Day’ for Indian hockey
Two judgments are likely to be delivered tomorrow (Monday) which might have far reaching impact on the Indian hockey.
After almost three years, the case filed by the IHF Vice-president Nainder Batra is expected to be decided on Monday. He filed a legal suit against the then IHF President KPS Gill against his calling of the IHF election a year before it was due. The IHF election was due in 2006, but Gill called for election midway thro’ 2005.
In an interim order, the court allowed the election to take place — which Gurbux Singh organized in Kolkata — while barring the result from beig announced. Batra contested against Gill for IHF president post, while Dr.Gurdeep challenged then sitting Secretary, Jothikumaran.
However, the judgment was so delayed, the Gill faction continued in the IHF till dissolved by the Indian Olympic Association April last year.
Perhaps, the judgment this way could be of academic interest unless it also deals another point raised by Batra — on the officials holding the Federation posts beyond two terms.
This case however was gossiped as a high profile one, former law minister Arun Jaitley argued for Batra, while it was said another high profile advocate came for Gill’s faction.
In an interesting coincidence, KPS Gill challenged dissolution of IHF by the IOA. The case did not progress much beyond three sittings / hearings. Tomorrow, the court is expected to give its verdict. This is of topical interest because, inter alia, it was gathered the State Hockey Associations –who have authorized Sahara scion JB Roy to intervene in this case between Gill and IOA — have filed for the intervention. They will also be heard tomorrow. There is every possibility the court might order for fresh election, which case the hockey turf will be on fire in the days to come.
As far as visitors of this site are concerned, watch out this space around 19.00 hours on Monday.