Rajasthan Equestrain Association vs Equestrian Federation Of India And Ors.

Court
Delhi High Court
Case type
Writ Petition Civil
Decided on
18-02-2026

$~4
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
+ W.P.(C) 10342/2019, CM APPL. 42732/2019, CM APPL.
54682/2019, CM APPL. 16483/2020, CM APPL. 32960/2020, CM
APPL. 43562/2021, CM APPL. 31560/2022, CM APPL.
33330/2022, CM APPL. 42691/2022, CM APPL. 54682/2022, CM
APPL. 33552/2023, CM APPL. 36897/2024, CM APPL.
48218/2025, CM APPL. 48967/2025, CM APPL. 49192/2025, CM
APPL. 55618/2025, CM APPL. 64262/2025 & CM APPL.
11168/2026

Date of Decision : 18.02.2026
IN THE MATTER OF:


RAJASTHAN EQUESTRAIN ASSOCIATION .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Rajiv Dutta, Senior Advocate
with Mr. Ashish Kothari, Ms. Pratha
Pant and Mr. Pratyush Singh,
Advocates.

versus

EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION OF INDIA AND ORS.
.....Respondents
Through: Mr. Vinayak Bhandari and Mr. Ishaan
Phukan, Advs. for R-1.
Mr. Chetan Sharma, ASG with Ms.
Arti Bansal, CGSC with Mr. Udit
Dedhiya, SPC, Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr.
R. V. Prabhat Shubham Sharma, Mr.
Yash Wardhan Sharma, Mr. Naman,
Ms. Apurva Sachdev, Ms. Shruti Goel
and Mr. Preyansh Gupta, Advocates
for R-2
Mr. T. Singhdev, Mr. Bhanu Gulati,
Mr. Pratham Mehrotra, Mr. Abhijit
Signature Not Verified
Signature Not Verified
Signed
By:PURUSHAINDRA
KUMAR KAURAV
Signed By:AMIT KUMAR
SHARMA
Signing Date:27.02.2026
17:48:47

Chakravarty, Mr. Tanishq Srivastava
and Ms. Yamini Singh, Advocate⁩s
for Manipur Equestrian Association.
Mr. Ujjwal Chaudhary & Mr. Vikash
Singh, Advocates for R-4.
Mr Samar Bansal , Mr Ishan Roy
Chowdhury and Ms. Muskan
Khatana, for Observer.

CORAM:
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV

JUDGEMENT

PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV, J. (ORAL)

The present writ petition has been filed by the Rajasthan Equestrian
Association challenging the actions and exemptions granted to the
Equestrian Federation of India („ EFI ‟) in relation to its governance structure
and electoral framework.
2. The petitioner contends that exemptions granted to EFI permitting
direct membership and voting rights to clubs, individuals, and other units are
arbitrary and contrary to the prescribed governance structure for National
Sports Federations, and that such actions distort the electoral college and
undermine democratic functioning.
3. For clarity, the reliefs sought in the writ petition are extracted as
under:
“a) Issue a writ of Mandamus or any other writ, order or direction
directing the Respondent No. 2 to implement its decision taken vide
letter ref. no. 9-12/2017-SP-I dated 01-02-2019 and withdraw the
recognition granted to Respondent No. 1 as the National Sport
Federation for equestrian sports in India with immediate effect.
b) Issue a writ of Mandamus or any other writ, order or direction
Signature Not Verified
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Signed
By:PURUSHAINDRA
KUMAR KAURAV
Signed By:AMIT KUMAR
SHARMA
Signing Date:27.02.2026
17:48:47

directing the Respondent No. 2 to expunge the present executive
committee and general assembly of the Respondent No. 1 with
immediate effect and appoint an independent ad-hoc committee along
with Respondent No. 4, to take over the management and functioning
of Respondent no. 1 with the aim to ensure compliance of the National
Sports Development Code, 2011 by the Respondent no. 1.
c) Issue a writ of Certiorari or any other writ, order or direction to
suspend/set aside the notice for annual general meeting issued by the
Respondent No. 1, whereby the Respondent No. 1 is seeking to
conduct elections of its executive committee illegally, arbitrarily and
in violation of the National Sports Development Code, 2011 and in
blatant disregard of the directions issued by the Respondent No. 2
vide its letter Ref. No. 9- 12/2017-SP-I dated 01-02-2019 and by
Respondent No. 4 vide its letter Ref. No. IOA/Equestrian-8/2019/3168
dated 16-09-2019.
d) Pass any other order or direction that this Hon’ble Court deems fit
in the facts and circumstances of the case.”

4. Mr. Rajiv Dutta, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner,
seek directions for re-conduct of elections strictly in accordance with the
governing sports regulations.

5. Learned Senior Counsel has drawn the attention of this Court to the
statutory framework introduced under the National Sports Governance Act,
2025 (“NSG Act”). It is submitted that the said Act establishes a mandatory
and comprehensive framework governing the administration, recognition,
and election processes of National Sports Federations (“NSFs”).
6. It is further pointed out that vide notification dated 28.01.2026, the
Government of India notified the National Sports Governance (National
Sports Body) Rules, 2026 with effect from 01.01.2026. The NSG Act and
the Rules framed, thereunder, lay down a statutory regime governing
governance standards, compliance requirements, recognition norms, ethical
conduct, and institutional accountability within the sports ecosystem.
7. Vide notification dated 31.12.2025, certain provisions of the NSG
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By:PURUSHAINDRA
KUMAR KAURAV
Signed By:AMIT KUMAR
SHARMA
Signing Date:27.02.2026
17:48:47

Act, including Section 4(1), (2) and (4) relating to the election of executive
bodies of NSFs, were brought into force with effect from 01.01.2026. The
notification issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports clarifies that
the specified provisions shall come into force from the said date, thereby
operationalising the statutory election framework. The relevant extract of the
aforesaid notification reads as under-
“S.O. 6152(E). In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of
section 1 of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 (25 of 2025), the
Central Government hereby appoints the 1st January, 2026, as the date
on which the provisions of sections 1 to 3, sub-sections (1), (2) and (4)
of section 4, sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 5, sub-section (5) of
section 8, sub-section (1) of section 11, section 14, section 15, sub-
sections (1) to (7) and (10) of section 17, section 30, section 31, sections
33 to 38 of the said Act, shall come into force.”

8. The Government of India has further directed all NSFs to ensure strict
adherence to the notified provisions of the NSG Act and the Rules framed
thereunder, and to align their constitutions, by-laws, and institutional
processes with the statutory framework within the stipulated period.
Uniform compliance has been emphasised to ensure an orderly transition to
the governance structure contemplated under the Act.
9. It is also noted that vide order dated 22.12.2025, the Government of
India directed every NSF to undertake restructuring of its General Body and
to ensure that voting members and affiliate units are aligned with the
provisions of the NSG Act.
10. During the course of hearing, it is not in dispute that elections of the
EFI ought to be conducted expeditiously. All parties are ad idem on this
aspect.
11. It is an admitted and undisputed position that the Executive
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Signed
By:PURUSHAINDRA
KUMAR KAURAV
Signed By:AMIT KUMAR
SHARMA
Signing Date:27.02.2026
17:48:47

Committee of the EFI was elected on 29.09.2019. The said Committee had a
fixed tenure which expired in September 2023. Upon expiry of its tenure,
the Committee ceased to have any independent statutory or electoral
mandate to continue.
12. However, disputes having arisen in relation to the 2019 elections,
multiple writ petitions came to be filed before this Court, inter alia , W.P.(C)
10342/2019 and W.P.(C) 5989/2022, along with connected matters. During
the pendency of these proceedings, interim orders were passed from time to
time permitting the Executive Committee elected in 2019 to continue
functioning.
13. Subsequently, by order dated 29.05.2024 passed by the Division
Bench in LPA 449/2024, the Executive Committee as constituted pursuant
to the November 2019 elections and as it existed on 18.12.2019, was
reinstated with certain modifications. The Division Bench recorded that Ms.
Vanita Malhotra and Lt. Col. Raj Sangram Singh had earlier been co-opted
as ex-officio members without voting rights owing to their positions in the
Athletes Commission, and that upon their demitting office, Lt. Col. Ashish
Malik (Chairperson) and Maj. Ritika Dahiya (Vice Chairperson) of the
Athletes Commission were to be co-opted in their place.
14. Accordingly, the Division Bench directed that the Executive
Committee constituted pursuant to the November 2019 elections be
reinstated with the aforesaid substitution. The impugned order dated
21.05.2024 was suspended till disposal of the pending writ petitions by the
learned Single Judge. The material part of the aforesaid order reads as
under:-
“ 4. Learned senior counsel for the appellant states that Ms. Vanita
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Signed
By:PURUSHAINDRA
KUMAR KAURAV
Signed By:AMIT KUMAR
SHARMA
Signing Date:27.02.2026
17:48:47

Malhotra and Lt . Col . Raj Sangram Singh were then co-opted in the
Executive Committee of the EFI, as ex-officio members without any right to
vote due to the positions then held , by them, in the Athletes Commission.
He states however, they have since demitted offices and currently Lt. Col.
Ashish Malik is the Chairperson and Maj. Ritika Dahiya is the Vice
Chairperson, of the Athletes Commission. He states that it may therefore be
directed that Lt . Col. Ashish Malik and Maj. Ritika Dahiya will be part of
the Executive Committee in place of Ms. Vanita Malhotra and Lt. Col. Raj
Sangram Singh.
5. Accordingly, the Executive Committee constituted pursuant to EFI
th
elections held in November, 2019 , and as it existed on 18 December,
2019, is reinstated with the modification that Lt. Col . Ashish Malik and
Maj. Ritika Dahiya are co-opted in place of Ms. Vanita Malhotra and Lt.
st
Col. Raj Sangram Singh respectively. And, the impugned order dated 21
May, 2024 is suspended till the learned Single Judge disposes of the writ
petitions being W.P.(C) 10342/ 2019 and W. P.(C) 5989/2022. This Court
once again clarifies that the aforesaid interim arrangement has been made
in view of the impending Paris Olympics, 2024.
6. Since the matter has been pending before the learned Single Judge for
some time and the matter requires expeditious disposal, the Registry is
directed to list the aforesaid two writ petitions alongwith W.P.(C ) 10783/
2022 and W. P.(C ) 2036/2022 before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjeev Narula .
For this purpose, list the matter before Hon’ble Mr . Justice Sanjeev
nd
Narula on 2 July, 2024 . This Court clarifies that the rights and
contentions of all the parties are left open. With the aforesaid directions,
the present appeals and applications are disposed of.”

15. Thus, it is seen that the functioning of the Executive Committee
subsequent to its expiration has been solely by virtue of interim
arrangements passed by this Court, pending final adjudication of the writ
petitions
16. At this stage, Mr. Chetan Sharma, learned ASG appearing for the
Union of India, submits that with the conclusion of the Paris Olympics,
2024, the very basis for continuation of the erstwhile Executive Committee
no longer subsists. It is contended that EFI is presently functioning without a
duly elected body, contrary to the National Sports Development Code, 2011
and the settled principles of democratic governance. He therefore, has filed
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Signed
By:PURUSHAINDRA
KUMAR KAURAV
Signed By:AMIT KUMAR
SHARMA
Signing Date:27.02.2026
17:48:47

IA No. 64262/2025 for the following reliefs:
“a) Allow the present CM Application and allow Respondent
No. 2 to
direct IOA to constitute an Ad-Hoc Administrative Committee
for EFI, in consultation with FEI for administration of EFI,
preparation and participation of athletes in international events,
and conduct of fresh elections in strict compliance with the
National Sports Development Code, 2011, extant guideline and
applicable laws; and
b) Pass such further order(s) as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit
and proper in the interest of justice.”

17. The Court also notes that under similar circumstances in respect of the
Judo Federation Of India, this Court in Karnataka Judo Association And
1
Anr V. Judo Federation Of India And Ors . , has directed for expeditious
conduct of elections with appropriate interim arrangements under the
supervision of a Court-appointed Administrator.
18. Thus, in the aforesaid factual backdrop, this Court is of the considered
view that conduct of fresh elections to the Executive Committee of the EFI
is the need of the hour.
19. As already noted hereinabove, the tenure of the elected body expired
in September 2023, and its continuation thereafter has been solely on the
strength of interim arrangements made by this Court in view of the
exigencies then prevailing on account of the impending Paris Olympics.
With the conclusion of the said event, there no longer subsists any justifiable
basis for perpetuation of an unelected body, governing the day-to-day affairs
of EFI.
20. Pertinent to also observe that the coming into force of the NSG Act
and the notified Rules has steered a binding statutory regime mandating

1
2026: DHC:1419
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By:PURUSHAINDRA
KUMAR KAURAV
Signed By:AMIT KUMAR
SHARMA
Signing Date:27.02.2026
17:48:47

transparency, democratic representation, and institutional accountability
within NSFs. In such circumstances, permitting EFI to continue without a
duly elected body would be inconsistent with both the statutory framework
and the principles of democratic representative governance.
21. In view of the above circumstances, and having regard to the statutory
regime now in force under the NSG Act, this Court deems it appropriate to
issue the following directions:
i. The Indian Olympic Association shall forthwith appoint an Ad-Hoc
Committee to take over the administration of EFI. The present
Executive Committee of EFI shall hand over charge to the Ad-Hoc
Committee within seven days from the date of its appointment.
ii. The Ad-Hoc Committee shall, within a period of 2 months from the
date of its appointment, finalise the Constitution and By-laws of EFI
in conformity with NSG Act, and the Rules framed thereunder.
iii. Upon finalisation of the Constitution and By-laws, the Ad-Hoc
Committee shall notify elections within thirty days. Upon completion
of the electoral process, the newly elected body shall assume charge
of the administration of EFI.
iv. The elected body shall, as its first measure, ratify and adopt the
Constitution of EFI in strict compliance with the mandate of the NSG
Act and the applicable Rules.
22. With the aforesaid directions, the writ petition along with all pending
applications, stands disposed of.

PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV, J
FEBRUARY 18, 2026/JYH/mj
Signature Not Verified
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Signed
By:PURUSHAINDRA
KUMAR KAURAV
Signed By:AMIT KUMAR
SHARMA
Signing Date:27.02.2026
17:48:47