HC raps Centre over status of Hockey India

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the Central government for not complying with its order regarding recognition of Hockey India (HI) and said that elections might be postponed.

Despite the High Court's order that HI is a private body and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) the only recognised body of the sport, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said that both IHF and HI are recognised bodies.

Furious over the stand taken by the government, Justice S Murlidhar said that it's a breach of the court's order and directed the government to issue a fresh letter clarifying its stand by Wednesday evening.

The court directed the Joint Secretary (Sports) Injeti Srinivas to appear before it at 3 pm with a clarification on government's stand regarding status of HI.

The court also made it clear that the elections of HI will not be allowed if the confusion persists. The High Court on Tuesday said the government should not associate itself with the HI elections as it is a private body and held that the IHF is the only recognised body for the sport in the country.

The court had said that the election will be held only  when the confusion regarding its status is cleared.

It had also asked the government to withdraw its observer appointed to monitor the HI election.

The High Court had on May 21 set aside the Centre's decision to de-recognise the IHF and the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) de-affiliation of the Federation.