s2h Team
The following is a brief factual summary of the judgment delivered by the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi on April 20, 2026, in the contempt case involving Hockey India.
The Case
The petitioner, Syeed Asima Ali, filed a contempt petition alleging willful non-compliance with a court order dated January 17, 2025. That interim order, passed in an underlying writ petition concerning violations of the National Sports Development Code, required Hockey India to provide Ali with electronic links to participate in all Executive Board meetings. The petitioner alleged that the respondents failed to provide these links for meetings held on July 4, 2025, and July 27, 2025.
The Parties Involved
The petitioner is Syeed Asima Ali, who took charge as the elected Vice President of Hockey India on October 1, 2022. The respondents included Hockey India (Respondent No. 1), Mr. Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India (Respondent No. 2), and Mr. Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India (Respondent No. 3) and Mohd. Firoz Ansari (Respondent No.4)
The Conclusion:
The Court concluded that the respondents’ failure to supply the requisite links on the two specified dates constituted a clear case of contempt. The Court rejected the respondents’ argument that the links were withheld because the petitioner’s position had purportedly become vacant due to disaffiliation by her parent unit, Hockey J&K.
Honble Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav noted that the court’s original order was “simpliciter” and contained no such qualifications or caveats. The judgment further highlighted a “concerted design” and potential collusion, noting that the agenda for a Hockey India meeting included discussions about the petitioner’s status before the formal communication of those developments had even occurred. The Court described an “unconditional apology” later tendered by Mr. Bhola Nath Singh as “evasive and prevaricatory”.
The Order:
The High Court found the respondents, and specifically Mr. Bhola Nath Singh, guilty of committing contempt of court by willfully disobeying the order dated January 17, 2025. The matter has been listed for May 4, 2026, for a hearing on the question of sentencing. The Court granted the respondents liberty to purge the contempt and undertake remedial measures in the interim.
TIMELINE OF THE CASE
| Date | Event |
| Oct 1, 2025 |
Petitioner takes charge as elected Vice President of Hockey India. |
| Jan 17, 2025 |
High Court passes interim order directing Hockey India to provide meeting links to the petitioner. |
| Jun 26, 2025 |
Notice issued for 113th Executive Board (EB) meeting, including an agenda to discuss resolutions from Hockey J&K. |
| Jul 3, 2025 |
Hockey J&K informs Hockey India that the petitioner is no longer a recognized representative. |
| Jul 4, 2025 |
113th EB meeting held; meeting links were withheld from the petitioner. |
| Jul 27, 2025 |
Second EB meeting held; links again withheld from the petitioner. |
| Jul 28, 2025 |
Contempt petition is first listed before the High Court. |
| Mar 30, 2026 |
Mr. Bhola Nath Singh files an affidavit tendering an “unconditional apology”. |
| Apr 20, 2026 |
Court delivers judgment finding respondents guilty of contempt. |
| May 4, 2026 |
Scheduled hearing for the determination of sentencing. |