NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the Centre and Hockey India (HI) for their stand on a plea alleging that the sports federation has violated the national sports code by creating posts, like ‘life member’, ‘life president’ and CEO, which are not permitted under the rules.

A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan issued notice to the Sports Ministry, HI and the two persons who have been appointed in the sports body as life member and CEO, seeking their stand by September 28 on the petition by a former hockey player.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayan, appearing for Khan, said these posts are not contemplated under the National Sports Code of 2011 and have been created in violation of the rules, circulars and guidelines governing functioning of the national sports federations (NSFs).

The petition, filed through advocate Vanshdeep Dalmia, has also sought quashing of the appointments of Narinder Dhruv Batra and Elena Norman as ‘life member’ and CEO, respectively.

Khan, in his plea, has alleged that “various acts of nepotism and favouritism” by Batra and Norman was “causing loss, financial and otherwise to the sport of hockey”.

He has contended that under the sports code and the model election guidelines for NSFs, only seven office bearers and five additional members are to be elected for specific durations and the three posts created by HI are not contemplated therein.

He has also contended that similar provisions relating to creation of the post of ‘life member’ in the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India have been quashed by the high court.

The plea has also sought directions to Batra and Norman to provide accounts of money and financial benefits received by them from HI from their time of appointment and to refund the same.

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