Anil Khanna rejects Narinder Batra’s claims on presidency, tells members his continuation shall be in contempt of court docket

Senior IOA vice chairman Anil Khanna on Thursday categorically rejected Narinder Batra’s declare that he’s nonetheless the chief of the apex sports activities physique, saying his continuation within the prime job shall be a contempt of court docket.

Veteran sports activities administrator Batra was on Wednesday eliminated as Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president after the Delhi High Court struck down the place of ‘Life Member’ in Hockey India, courtesy which he had contested and received the apex physique’s elections again in 2017.

Khanna took over as appearing chief after HC order.

However, Batra stated he “did not contest the election for either president FIH or president IOA by virtue of holding any post that was struck down by the order of the Hon’ble High Court”.

“I currently continue to serve the IOA as President, till such time new elections are held,” Batra stated in his message to members, a declare that was promptly rejected by Khanna.

“As per this (Delhi High Court) order, Mr. Batra’s time period as President of IOA has come to an finish with fast impact on twenty fifth May 2022.

“Mr. Batra in a WhatsApp message today to the members has claimed that he is not holding the position of IOA President by virtue of his being a Life Member of the Hockey India. This is an incorrect statement,” Khanna wrote in an e-mail to the IOA members.

“As per IOA Constitution and Election Bye Laws, representatives nominated by each voting unit must be members of the Executive Bodies of such units to be part of the Electoral College. Mr. Batra was part of the Electoral College in 2017 and his name appeared in S.no 43 of the Electoral College,” Khanna wrote in an e mail to members.

Khanna identified that Batra has used his place as Life Member of Hockey India to be within the Electoral College and, subsequently, as per the Order of the court docket he ceases to be the president of IOA.

“In 2017, Mr. Batra ceased to be President of Hockey India and was not a member of the Executive Committee of Hockey India. Mr. Batra was a Life Member of Hockey India as per para 2.1.1.3 of Hockey India Constitution and it was on this capability as Life Member of Hockey India, that his title was included within the Electoral College of Indian Olympic Association.

“The Order of the Hon’ble High Court is, therefore, abundantly clear that the illegal post of Life Member cannot be the stepping stone for any other position or benefit elsewhere, be it nationally (including in the Indian Olympic Association) or in International bodies.” The Delhi HC dominated that the place of Life Member and Life President have been “illegal” since they weren’t in consonance with the National Sports Code and put in a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) to run the day-to-day affairs of Hockey India.

Khanna stated, “In this critical time, IOA as an Institution has to start conducting itself with due respect to the orders of the Hon’ble High Court, Law of the Land and National Sports Code.
“It should be our endeavour to be compliant. Mr. Batra’s claim is once again challenging the order of the Hon’ble High Court and the Constitution of IOA. This may tantamount to Contempt of Court.” A prime IOA supply advised PTI: “If Mr Batra does not accept that he is no longer IOA president and object to senior vice president taking charge as acting president as per IOA constitution, somebody in the IOA will have to go to court to enforce the order.” Khanna additionally stated that he’s now the one eligible candidate to run the affairs of IOA, with the opposite senior vice chairman R Ok Anand already previous the age of 70.

“This leaves only me as the eligible senior vice president to fill the vacancy.” Khanna, the previous president of All India Tennis Association (AITA), henceforth additionally requested all of the IOA members to take directions solely from him or secretary common Rajeev Mehta.