HC questions IHF’s derecognition by IOA
NEW DELHI: In a fresh twist to the controversy surrounding Indian hockey, which will give a boost to former hockey chief KPS Gill, the Delhi High court on Thursday questioned the basis on which the Indian Olympic Association and the central government dissolved the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) in 2008.
Acting on a petition filed by IHF challenging its derecognition, Justice S Muralidhar, in an order released on Thursday, gave IOA and central government five weeks to explain on what basis was IHF’s recognition suspended. “The IOA will explain how issuance of a show cause notice to an ad hoc committee satisfies the requirement of the principles of natural justice,” Justice Muralidhar directed, wondering why IHF was not heard before any action was taken against it.
The court was surprised to know during the hearing that the government could not come up with a suitable explanation justifying its decision to derecognise the IHF. All it could offer was the fact that since IOA had dissolved the sporting federation the government too agreed.
“The government has suspended the recognition of IHF only on the ground that IOA suspended affiliation to IHF. The govt will file an affidavit within five weeks explaining its stand in the matter particularly with reference to recognition of IHF and any further action that is contemplated,” the court ordered.