coa: SC orders status quo, says Delhi HC-appointed CoA will not take over affairs of IOA

In an interim relief, the Supreme Court on Thursday ordered status quo and said the three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) appointed by the Delhi High Court will not handle the affairs of the Indian Olympic Association.

A bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana took note of the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Center and the IOA, that the world sports body does not recognize any non-elected body like the CoA and as a result, banned India. can be done. By participating in international sporting events.

The apex court took note of the submission of the law officer that the order may have negative repercussions on the country and granted interim relief to maintain status quo in the affairs of the IOA.

As a result, the Delhi High Court-appointed CoA, which includes former Supreme Court judge Justice Anil R Dave, former chief election commissioner SY Qureshi and former external affairs ministry secretary Vikas Swarup, will not be able to handle the IOA.

The Supreme Court has now posted IOA’s appeal for further hearing on August 22.

Earlier in the day, the Solicitor General sought an urgent hearing and said that the appointment of the CoA could lead to the International Olympic Committee suspending the association as was the case with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) recently.

The Delhi High Court had on August 16 ordered the formation of a three-member CoA to manage the affairs of the IOA.

The High Court had said that the IOA’s “persistent reluctance” to adhere to the Sports Code made it imperative that its matters be placed in the hands of the CoA.

Originally published at Pen 18